Postdoc: Exoplanet Imaging & Coronagraphy Research

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

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