Photonic devices for quantum sensors

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Photonics and Quantum Sensors Group at NASA's JPL in Pasadena, California. This role involves designing and fabricating advanced quantum sensing devices, specifically semiconductor lasers and amplifiers. The ideal candidate should have a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics and experience with GaAs lasers. Collaborating with researchers on cutting-edge quantum sensing projects forms a key part of this unique opportunity.

Qualifications

• Experience fabricating GaAs lasers and amplifiers.
• Doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with semiconductor lithography, doping, and optical characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design semiconductor lasers and optical amplifiers for quantum sensing applications.
• Fabricate and test devices in the 600‑850 nm wavelength range.
• Characterize device performance and integrate into cold‑atom systems.
• Collaborate with researchers on quantum sensing projects.

Skills

Fabricating GaAs lasers and amplifiers

Familiarity with semiconductor lithography

Optical characterization

Education

Doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering

Doctoral degree in Physics

Doctoral degree in a related field

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0274-NPP-NOV26-JPL-TechDev

Application Deadline

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

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA‑affiliated research institute. These one‑to‑three‑year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Description

The Photonics and Quantum Sensors Group at the Microdevices Laboratory of JPL is accepting postdoctoral applications to design, fabricate, and characterize advanced semiconductor lasers and semiconductor optical amplifiers for quantum sensing applications. The quantum sensors under development require stable, narrow‑linewidth, single‑mode lasers and low‑current, high‑saturation‑power optical amplifiers in the 600‑850 nm wavelength range.

Responsibilities

• Design semiconductor lasers and optical amplifiers for quantum sensing applications.
• Fabricate and test devices in the 600‑850 nm wavelength range.
• Characterize device performance and integrate into cold‑atom systems.
• Collaborate with researchers on quantum sensing projects.

Qualifications

• Experience fabricating GaAs lasers and amplifiers.
• Doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with semiconductor lithography, doping, and optical characterization.

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens.
• U.S. lawful permanent residents.
• Foreign nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa.
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and a pending I‑485 or I‑589 form.

Contact

For questions, contact:

• Dr. Siamak Forouhar – [e-mail] – (818) 393‑5023
• Dr. Sarath Gunapala – [e-mail]
• Dr. Mahmood Bagheri – [e-mail] – (818) 354‑0413