Post-Doctoral Researcher – Photonics | Space Dynamics Laboratory

The Quantum Sensing and Timing (QST) group at Space Dynamics Laboratory specializes in the development of cutting edge optical and atomic technologies to enhance Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems for space vehicles.

The QST group is seeking an Post-Doctoral Researcher - Photonics with a dynamic range of interests in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), optical frequency combs, microwave photonics, optical communications, time and frequency metrology and inertial measurement devices. We encourage candidates that would enjoy working on a team to develop high precision laser and optical systems to apply. This is a 2-year assignment onsite at Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM.

The successful candidate will have experience with one or more of the following fields:

• Optics
• Microwave photonics
• Ultra-fast and/or low-noise lasers sources
• Photonic integrated circuits
• Fiber optics
• Non-linear optics

Duties Include:

• Iterating the design and test of photonic integrated circuits
• Characterizing noise of optical and microwave sources
• Developing control electronics for real-time systems
• Building up and optimizing an optical bench for a variety of applications
• Fiber-optic splicing, building fiber-optical amplifiers, aligning free-space optical elements

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD or MS degree in physics, optics, engineering, or a related field – salary will vary with education and experience
• Must be a US citizen, and be able to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance

• At least one year of laboratory experimental research experience
• The ability to work independently and in diverse, interdisciplinary teams
• A creative, curious, and detail-oriented personality in a laboratory environment

Please let us know if you are skilled in any of these areas:

• Coding experience, such as Python, Matlab, Julia or C
• Experience with closed-loop controls
• Experience in numerical modeling and simulation with tools like COMSOL, Lumerical

• PhD in optics/physics/engineering
• Electronics: analog, digital, circuit design, PCB design, microcontroller, FPGA

Position rewards:
This post-doctoral position pays equivalent to a full-time position with a salary range of ($95- 135k) and includes full-time benefits. Being immersed in a group that is tackling some of the most advanced timing and sensing technologies with potentially broad applications. In addition, Space Dynamics Laboratory takes pride in and highly values its employees. SDL offers competitive salaries and generous benefits, including:

• A 14.2% employer retirement contribution into a 401(a) account—no matching required!
• Generous paid leisure and sick leave
• High-quality, low-cost health, dental, and life insurance
• A great team that works together to solve some of the most fascinating problems on (and off) our planet
• Relocation assistance available for most positions

For questions or assistance with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.

EOE including Disability and Vet