Instrumentation Opportunity for Antenna-coupled TES arrays

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading space research organization is looking for an applicant to lead the development of millimeter polarimeters with TES arrays at their Pasadena facility. This role requires a Doctoral Degree and experience in cryogenic systems, as well as electrical and optical characterization of detectors. The candidate will optimize cryostats for deployment to the South Pole, contributing to studies of cosmic microwave background radiation. Applications are accepted from U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing millimeter polarimeters.
• Knowledge of system integration and optimization.
• Capability in working with pulse tube cooling systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of millimeter polarimeters with TES arrays.
• Integrate and optimize the built cryostat for field deployment.
• Manage the operation of detectors for cosmic microwave background studies.

Skills

Experience in cryogenic systems

Electrical characterization of TES arrays

Optical characterization of TES arrays

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0076-NPP-NOV26-JPL-TechDev

How To Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect.

Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org).

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

Our group’s research is mainly instrumentation development for astrophysics and cosmology applications. In particular we are actively developing arrays of antenna‑coupled TES (transition edge sensors) detectors and instruments for the study of the polarization of cosmic microwave background radiation. CMB measurements provide compelling evidence for a period of exponential inflationary expansion in the early universe. Latest experimental evidences promise exciting opportunity that the polarization signal should be detectable with the next generation of instruments.

Rapid advances of detector technology played a decisive role in this experimental progression, from the discovery of the CMB to the exquisite temperature maps available today. Bolometers developed at JPL are poised to make defining measurements of the CMB for the next decade on the Planck satellite (launched in 2008). Moreover a new generation of antenna‑coupled bolometer arrays, a radical departure from the Planck ‘spider‑web’ design, is now ready to go beyond even the scientific capabilities of Planck, and will probe for the faint polarization signals produced by inflationary gravitational waves.

We are seeking an applicant to play a leading role in the development of the millimeter polarimeter with these JPL‑made large TES arrays. Experience in cryogenic systems and electrical and optical characterization of the TES arrays will be highly desirable. The candidate will integrate and optimize the recently built cryostat that was assembled with a pulse tube cooling system. The complete receiver will be fielded at the South Pole as one of the multiple receiver systems for the Keck experiment.

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Technology Development

Advisors

Hien Trong Nguyen ([e-mail], 818-354-0560)

Eligibility

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree

Questions about this opportunity?

Please email [e-mail]