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

California Institute Of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, seeks a Postdoctoral researcher to advance coronagraphic mask design and modeling for the Habitable Worlds Observatory project. You will develop and validate vector diffraction models, optimize masks, and contribute to experiments on HCIT, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across optics and engineering.

The role emphasizes publication in peer-reviewed journals, presenting results at conferences, and working closely with a JPL

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.

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.
• 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.

Skills

Ph.D. in field

High-contrast imaging

Optical modeling

Wavefront correction

Scientific programming (Python, MATLAB

Education

Ph.D. in Optics / related field

Tools

MEEP

Lumerical

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.

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.
• 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.

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 typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $83,820 - $83,820

Benefits

• variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• ridesharechildcare
• 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.

Equal Opportunity

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. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

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.

Background

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.). JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance.

Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.