2026 PhD Graduate - Optics and Photonics Postdoctoral Fellow

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,300 - 155,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits including education assistance

Retirement contributions

Healthy work/life balance

Job summary

A research organization in Maryland is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Optics and Photonics. Join a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to developing innovative optical solutions for critical challenges. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in a relevant field and expertise in areas like remote sensing and optical communications. This role offers competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Expertise in Remote Sensing, Microwave and Millimeter Wave Photonics, or related.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience teaching and mentoring others in the field.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support projects as an individual contributor and thought leader.
• Teach and mentor staff, propose new ideas, and conduct research.
• Develop modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Set up experiments and perform data analysis.

Skills

Optics expertise

Photonics knowledge

Written and oral communication

Teaching and mentoring

Education

PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering

Job description

Overview

Are you an expert in an optics or photonics related field?

Are you passionate about helping shape the technology of tomorrow through cutting edge research and development projects?

Do you like contributing to multi-disciplinary teams that span multiple organizations?

If you are graduating with a PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline and want to apply your expertise to optics and photonics research applications, we’d love to have you join our team as a Postdoctoral Researcher!

As a member of our team, you will collaborate with our teams of skilled scientists and engineers focused on developing innovative solutions to our nation’s critical challenges. We seek to drive technology advances in a variety of applications including remote sensing, microwave and millimeter-wave photonics, optical communications, optical system design, high energy laser systems, applied spectroscopy, optical materials characterization, and advanced photonic technologies.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Optics and Photonics Group…

Responsibilities

• Your primary responsibility will be to support projects as an individual technical contributor and thought leader. Examples of this include using software tools to develop modeling and simulation capabilities, designing and setting up complex experiments in various optical laboratories, and performing data analysis.
• You will serve as a resource to the group and the lab in your area of technical expertise. This includes teaching and mentoring staff at all levels, collaborating with others to propose new ideas, and keeping up with the technical community on state of the art advancements in your field.
• You will apply your understanding of optics and photonics to develop expertise in new areas in support of a variety of technology programs.
• You will make an impact by detailing work into formal and informal technical reports including, presentations, conference proceedings, and journal articles.

Qualifications

• Have a PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Are an expert in one of the following areas: Remote Sensing, Microwave and Millimeter Wave Photonics, Optical Communications, Optical System Design, High Energy Laser systems and technologies, Applied Spectroscopy, Optical Materials Characterization, or Advanced Photonics.
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills and an ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Have experience teaching and mentoring others within your field.
• Are willing and able to work on site at APL and travel occasionally in support of meetings, workshops and reviews with government sponsors, contractors, vendors, and field tests.
• Are able to obtain and Interim Secret to start and a final Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• Have directly relevant experience in a hands on laboratory environment in one or more of the focus areas for this group.
• Have established yourself in the technical community through journal and conference publications and involvement in professional societies.
• Hold a current Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain higher-level clearances.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,300 Annually

Maximum Rate

$155,500 Annually