JPL Postdoctoral Fellow - Integrated Photonics and Semiconductor Lasers for Quantum Applications

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop advanced photonic and semiconductor technologies for quantum sensing and ultraviolet photonics applications. The role involves modeling, design, cleanroom fabrication, and thorough electrical/optical characterization.

You will work closely with JPL scientists to translate system requirements into validated photonic hardware, publish results, and contribute to cutting-edge missions and instruments.

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, photonics, or closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with electromagnetic or photonic modeling and device design.
• Experience with optical waveguides, photonic ICs, or semiconductor laser cavities.
• Proficiency with COMSOL, Lumerical, Ansys, MATLAB, Python is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in photonics and semiconductor technologies for NASA quantum sensing.
• Design, model, and characterize photonic devices; fabricate and test in cleanroom environments.
• Collaborate with JPL scientists to translate system requirements into hardware.
• Publish results in open literature and contribute to project milestones.

Skills

Photonic integration

Device modeling

Experimentation / cleanroom

Collaboration across teams

Education

PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, photonics, or related field

Tools

COMSOL

Lumerical

Ansys

RSoft

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Microdevices Laboratory (MDL) seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop advanced photonic and semiconductor technologies for future NASA quantum sensing and ultraviolet photonics applications. The research will include development of ultraviolet semiconductor laser sources, including III-nitride VCSEL technologies, as well as integrated photonic devices for chip-scale quantum sensing and beam generation.

The position will involve optical and electromagnetic modeling, device design, cleanroom fabrication, and optical and electrical characterization. The researcher will work closely with JPL scientists and engineers to translate system-level requirements into fabricated and experimentally validated photonic hardware.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, applied physics, photonics, or a closely related field, with research experience in integrated photonics, semiconductor lasers, optoelectronic devices, or related optical systems.
• Candidates should have experience with electromagnetic or photonic modeling and device design, together with hands‑on experimental or cleanroom fabrication experience. Relevant experience may include optical waveguides, gratings, semiconductor laser cavities, III‑V devices, photonic integrated circuits, or free‑space/integrated optical systems.
• Experience with simulation and analysis tools such as COMSOL, Lumerical, Ansys, RSoft, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools is desirable. Experience with semiconductor laser characterization, integrated photonics, or UV optoelectronic devices is particularly valuable.
• Candidates should be able to work across device modeling, design fabrication, testing, and data analysis, and to collaborate effectively with researchers across photonics and semiconductor device development.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here .