Postdoc: Exoplanet Imaging & Coronagraphy (Flexible)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off and leave benefits

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California seeks a Postdoctoral researcher in Optics and Spectroscopy to advance coronagraphic mask design and modeling for exoplanet imaging. You will develop vector diffraction models, optimize masks, and publish results.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, use MEEP/Lumerical, Python or MATLAB, and contribute to high-impact research with international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in optics, astrophysics, physics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or 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 such as MEEP or Lumerical.
• Experience using clusters and GPUs for large computational tasks.
• Proficiency in scientific programming using Python, MATLAB, or similar languages.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

High-contrast imaging

Optical modeling

Scientific programming (Python, MATLAB

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Optics, Astrophysics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related field

Tools

MEEP

Lumerical

Job description

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California seeks a Postdoctoral researcher in Optics and Spectroscopy to advance coronagraphic mask design and modeling for exoplanet imaging. You will develop vector diffraction models, optimize masks, and publish results.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, use MEEP/Lumerical, Python or MATLAB, and contribute to high-impact research with international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.