Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

California Institute of Technology seeks a full-time, nine-month Post-Baccalaureate Researcher in PMA to support experimental astrophysics and mm-wave instrumentation. The role involves hands-on testing of a cryogenic mm-wave imager, detector arrays, and subsystem upgrades in a collaborative setting.

The position emphasizes design, fabrication, data analysis, and operation of the imaging system, with opportunities to contribute across multiple aspects of the instrument and research program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical field by start date.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with fabrication and rapid prototyping techniques.
• Experience with millimeter-wave imaging systems.

Responsibilities

• Characterize the imager's point-spread function.
• Design and integrate hardware for synthesized images.
• Fabricate optical components to improve tests of components.
• Screen and assess performance of new detector arrays.
• Operate the imaging system to collect and analyze data.
• Develop optical/mechanical designs and oversee fabrication.
• Operate cryogenic systems and use Python tools for data.
• Support ongoing team research activities.

Skills

Python

Communication

Fabrication

mm-wave imaging

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical field

Tools

Zemax

FEKO

SolidWorks

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Caltech's Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (PMA) is seeking a full-time, nine-month term Post-Baccalaureate Researcher to support research in experimental astrophysics and advanced millimeter-wave (mm-wave) instrumentation. The position will involve a range of testing and design work related to a terrestrial mm-wave imaging system that is currently in operation.

The imager consists of a 1.5-meter primary mirror that is steerable with an altitude-azimuth mount and a large-format focal plane array of superconducting detectors operating within a sub-Kelvin cryogenic system. While already deployed, efforts are underway to further characterize and optimize the performance of the existing system while pursuing several major upgrades.

The overall goal of the research program is to advance new mm-wave technologies that enable imaging of objects through optical obscurants in the atmosphere. The position will involve work across multiple aspects of the imaging system, offering a broad range of hands-on research experience with state-of-the-art technology.

This is an opportunity to join a small, collaborative research team advancing next-generation mm-wave imaging technologies.

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct detailed characterization of the imager's point-spread function.
• Design and integrate new hardware to create synthesized images from a distributed-aperture optical system.
• Design and fabricate new optical components to improve laboratory-based testing of individual system components.
• Screen and assess the performance of new detector arrays.
• Operate the imaging system to collect and analyze new data.
• Develop optical and mechanical designs for new components and oversee their fabrication and installation.
• Operate cryogenic systems and use Python-based tools to collect and analyze detector data.
• Perform additional research and technical tasks as needed to support the team's ongoing activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical field such as Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Sciences, or a related field, completed by the start date of the appointment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Python, optical design tools such as Zemax and FEKO, and mechanical design tools such as SolidWorks.
• Experience with fabrication and rapid prototyping techniques.
• Experience with millimeter-wave (mm-wave) imaging systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with cryogenic systems, superconducting detectors, or experimental instrumentation in a laboratory or research setting.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$20.00 - $27.00 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and, as a federal contractor, takes affirmative action to employ qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].