Computational Scientist – Metasurfaces, Photonics, and Inverse Design

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Education assistance

Training and development

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab is seeking a Computational Research Scientist to contribute to cutting-edge research in fields such as RF/optical metasurfaces and quantum computing. The successful candidate will develop computational models, simulations, and optimization algorithms to drive the research from concept to real-world deployment.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics or a related field and has at least one year of relevant experience. Proficiency in Python and collaborative skills are essential. The position offers a salary ranging from $85,000 to $195,000 annually depending on the level of experience, with a range of employee benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or relevant field.
• At least a year of professional or postgrad experience.
• Foundational understanding in electromagnetics, optics, and computational science.
• Proficient in programming languages like Python.
• Ability to independently learn new topics or tools.

Responsibilities

• Build simulations using numerical models and commercial tools.
• Develop and characterize optimization algorithms.
• Take ownership of design and analysis workflows.
• Work closely with engineers and experimentalists on research.
• Contribute to technical publications and presentations.

Skills

Programming in Python

Mathematical modeling

Electromagnetics

Optics

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

CST

HFSS

Lumerical

COMSOL

Job description

Do you enjoy pushing the limits of computational science for modeling physical systems?

Are you excited by the challenge of designing modern electromagnetic and photonic devices—driving the future of communications, sensing, and computing?

Do you thrive in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment where ideas move from concept to fabrication, characterization, and real-world prototyping?

If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a Computational Research Scientist to contribute to ongoing research projects in topics such as RF/optical metasurfaces, integrated photonics, and quantum computing. In this role, you will be developing and applying computational models, simulations, and optimization algorithms for designing novel devices. Your work will help drive research from simulation and fabrication to characterization and real-world deployment. Because our research portfolio spans a variety of topics, success in this role requires curiosity, technical independence, and the ability to quickly learn new physics, methods, and tools from textbooks and scientific literature.

Our group consists of physicists and engineers who are passionate about developing innovative solutions for the future of advanced devices, materials, and systems. We value scientific excellence, continuous learning, and open collaboration in order to tackle high-risk, high-reward ideas! Opportunities for professional growth and mentorship are strongly supported.

As a Computational Scientist, your responsibilities will include:

• Building simulations using both custom numerical models and commercial tools to design novel electromagnetic devices.
• Developing and characterizing optimization algorithms, inverse-design methods, and computational design workflows.
• Taking ownership of design and analysis workflows by independently learning new programming tools, simulation frameworks, and theoretical concepts.
• Reading scientific literature and applying emerging methods to open-ended research problems.
• Working closely with engineers and experimentalists to explore new phenomena, build prototypes, analyze data, and validate models against experimental data.
• Contributing to technical publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or another field relevant to the duties as described above.
• Have at least a year of professional or postgrad experience.
• Have a foundational understanding in areas such as electromagnetics, optics, mathematical modeling, and computational science.
• Are proficient in programming languages such as Python as well as related packages for data analysis.
• Have demonstrated the ability to independently learn new technical topics, programming tools, or theoretical concepts through coursework, research, projects, or self-study.
• Have experience on research projects in a collaborative environment.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level 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...

• Hold a Master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Have a strong background in electromagnetics, optics, or photonics, especially as related to metasurfaces, integrated photonics, tunable devices, or quantum computing hardware.
• Have experience using full-wave electromagnetic simulation software (e.g. CST, HFSS, Lumerical, MEEP/MPB, Tidy3D) or multiphysics software (e.g. COMSOL).
• Have developed advanced optimization algorithms (e.g., inverse design, adjoint optimization, machine learning-driven design).
• Have experience with numerical methods, PDE solvers, scientific computing, or physics-based simulation from first principles.
• Have experience working in high-performance computing (HPC) environments or developing scripted workflows for simulation or design automation.
• Have contributed to technical publications, conference presentations, or research proposals.

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 contact [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

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$195,000 Annually