Postdoc: Advance coronagraphic mask design and modeling with the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Wellbeing

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Many more

Job summary

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a postdoctoral researcher in optics to advance vector diffraction modeling for coronagraphic masks used in the Habitable Worlds Observatory project. You will develop and validate models, optimize mask designs, and contribute to experimental work on HCIT benches in a collaborative environment.

You will publish results in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences, working with multidisciplinary teams across optical design,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Optics, Astrophysics, Physics, Mechanical/ Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in high-contrast imaging and optical modeling.
• Experience with FDTD software (MEEP, Lumerical).
• Experience using clusters and GPUs for large computations.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar.
• Strong publication record and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct vector diffraction modeling for coronagraphic masks.
• Validate models with HCIT experiments.
• Develop mask fabrication tolerance requirements for HWO.
• Perform mask optimization using advanced methods.
• Use AI tools to improve mask design and modeling.
• Publish results in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across optical design and instrumentation.

Skills

High-contrast imaging

Optical modeling

Optical instrumentation

Wavefront correction

Scientific programming (Python, MATLAB

Peer‑reviewed publications

Education

Ph.D. in Optics or related field

Tools

MEEP

Lumerical

HPC clusters

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.

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. JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California. JPL's Optics and Spectroscopy Section is seeking a postdoc who will advance coronagraphic mask design and modeling, conducting research that enables the direct imaging of earth‑like exoplanets with the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The position offers opportunities to develop and validate vector diffraction models of coronagraphic optics, numerically optimize coronagraph masks, improve mask fabrication processes, run experiments on several coronagraph benches, and publish high‑impact scientific results that advance the state of the art in high‑contrast imaging.

Research Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on vector diffraction modeling of various coronagraphic masks.
• Validate mask models with laboratory experiments on the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) facility.
• Develop requirements on mask fabrication tolerances and materials required in the contrast budget for HWO.
• Perform coronagraphic mask optimization using algorithmic differentiation and other advanced methods.
• Utilize artificial intelligence tools to improve the mask design and modeling processes.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning numerical optimization, optical design, optical modeling, microdevices fabrication, and coronagraph testbeds.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Optics, Astrophysics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience in high-contrast imaging, optical modeling, optical instrumentation, wavefront correction, or related experimental research.
• Experience using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) software packages such as MEEP or Lumerical.
• Experience using clusters and GPUs for large computational tasks.
• Proficiency in scientific programming using Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and excellent written and oral communication skills.

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

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of four years.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave
• 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.