Optical Metasurface Design & Characterization Scientist

Downtown Boulder Partnership; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 102,500 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, MD, seeks a Design and Characterization Researcher to advance optical metasurface concepts from modeling to prototype testing. You will combine computational design with experiments to enhance reflection, transmission, and absorption using advanced materials and tools.

The role involves collaborating with physicists and engineers to mature projects, perform characterization with FTIR/UV-Vis, and contribute to novel

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field with at least one year of experience.
• Creative application of physics knowledge and experimental characterization of novel electromagnetic structures.
• Familiarity with tailoring electromagnetic fields to control reflection, transmission, and absorption through patterned surfaces and engineered material properties.
• Experience with laboratory characterization of optical materials or components using hardware such as FTIR and UV-Vis spectrometers.
• Proficiency in scientific programming in at least one high-level language (e.g., C, C++, Java) or an interpreted language (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by start date and to ultimately obtain a Secret-level clearance. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Utilize computational tools to design and simulate the performance of optical metasurfaces.
• Perform experiments to characterize the performance of metasurfaces in the optical frequency range.
• Leverage commercial computational tools to build simulations and develop numerical solutions.
• Develop independent research and development ideas that demonstrate the potential of new and emerging technologies for groundbreaking applications within the sponsor base.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of physicists, engineers, and fabrication technicians to gain insights into sensors, devices, and related phenomena.

Skills

Scientific programming

Education

PhD in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

CST

COMSOL

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, MD, seeks a Design and Characterization Researcher to advance optical metasurface concepts from modeling to prototype testing. You will combine computational design with experiments to enhance reflection, transmission, and absorption using advanced materials and tools.

The role involves collaborating with physicists and engineers to mature projects, perform characterization with FTIR/UV-Vis, and contribute to novel