Optical Scientist: Exoplanet Imaging & MSWC (Hybrid)

SETI; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SETI Institute seeks an Optical Scientist to advance multi-star wavefront control for high-contrast imaging missions. The role emphasizes optical modeling, laboratory experiments, and collaboration within NASA Ames Exoplanet Technologies.

Applicants should have MS/PhD in related fields, 1–4 years lab experience, and strong coding and communication skills. Hybrid on-site work is available in Mountain View, CA.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Science, Astronomy, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
• 1-4 years of experience setting up and conducting experiments in optical laboratories.
• Experience in high-contrast imaging / coronagraph laboratories is a significant plus.
• Experience with optical modeling, wavefront control, and astronomy.
• Experience coding in Python, MATLAB, and/or other scientific programming languages.
• Exoplanet science experience, especially around binary stars, is a plus.
• Experience with instruments and/or missions that have flown is a plus.
• US Person per ITAR requirements to access restricted information.
• Strong teamwork and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Innovate and invent techniques to improve performance of high-contrast imaging technologies, focusing on MSWC and related projects.
• Model instruments and missions computationally (Python, MATLAB) including wavefront control.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments to characterize performance of imaging systems on testbeds.
• Write and contribute to scientific papers and grant proposals.
• Present results at scientific workshops and conferences.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to drive project maturation and cross-project efforts.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Wavefront control

Optical modeling

Astronomy

Exoplanet science

Team collaboration

Communication

Laboratory experiments

Education

MS or PhD in Optical Science, Astronomy, Electrical Engineering, or Physics

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Ansys

Job description

SETI Institute seeks an Optical Scientist to advance multi-star wavefront control for high-contrast imaging missions. The role emphasizes optical modeling, laboratory experiments, and collaboration within NASA Ames Exoplanet Technologies.

Applicants should have MS/PhD in related fields, 1–4 years lab experience, and strong coding and communication skills. Hybrid on-site work is available in Mountain View, CA.