Research Scientist

California-Institute-of-Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltech is seeking a Research Scientist to help complete the installation and commissioning of Balanced Homodyne Detection (BHD) across LIGO observatories. This role requires coordination with Caltech and MIT facilities, extensive travel, and in-person work in Pasadena, CA.

You will lead design, modeling, simulation, development, production, installation, and commissioning activities for the BHD system, reporting to the optics lead and collaborating across a global team of researchers and

Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering; PhD in a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a related field.
• Thorough knowledge of design, analysis, and testing for interferometry.
• Experience with scientific observation and instrumentation problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Support installation and commissioning of BHD systems at LIGO observatories.
• Coordinate design, simulation, development, production, installation, and commissioning activities.
• Develop and monitor budgets and work with contract vendors.
• Produce engineering documentation and contribute to lab-wide initiatives.

Skills

Interferometry

Collaboration

Experimental design

Problem solving

Education

BS in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering

PhD in related field

Tools

Optical instrumentation

Data analysis tools

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

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing gravitational-waves. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA, and Baton Rouge, LA, as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory’s mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach. For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at www.ligo.caltech.edu.

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a Research Scientist to help complete the installation and commissioning of Balanced Homodyne Detection (BHD) across both observatories. BHD is a quantum-limited readout method — mixing the gravitational-wave signal beam with a strong local oscillator, subtracting the photodiode outputs, and measuring a chosen quadrature to enable squeezed-light readout and common-mode noise cancellation.

A committed A+ deliverable, its installation and commissioning are managed under Detector Improvements. This is a key hire offering the individual the opportunity to deliver a core sensitivity-enabling subsystem for LIGO today and tomorrow. Serving as the point person coordinating BHD activity across the Caltech campus and both observatories, the successful candidate will ensure BHD phases A and B are installed at LHO and phase B at LLO (phase A is already installed at LLO).

The position works alongside, and reports to, the optics lead, who reports to the Chief Engineer. Regular travel to LIGO sites and collaborating institutions (Livingston, LA; Hanford, WA; Cambridge, MA; and possibly internationally) is required.

This position is an in-person role located in Pasadena, California.

Functional:

• Support the cutting-edge R&D program at the LIGO laboratory with particular focus on the Balanced Homodyne Detection system, including coordinating the design, modeling/simulation, development, production, installation, and commissioning activities on the Caltech campus and at the two observatories.

Technical:

• Provide ongoing modifications and solution alternatives to meet current and future research and observatory requirements.
• Conceptualize the design and direct the development of enhanced measurement techniques and improved optical and suspension designs.
• Assist with testing, design and analysis, and oversight of precision instruments to test hypotheses and gather data.
• Provide technical expert support for contract vendors providing cutting-edge technology that enables LIGO’s extreme sensitivity.
• Develop and monitor budgets

Strategic & Institutional Contribution:

• Support the optics lead with management of the existing team, and collaborate effectively across a diverse, global collaboration.
• Initiate or collaborate in writing research papers and technical presentations at national and international conferences.
• Produce and maintain systems-level engineering documentation within LIGO configuration-control systems.
• Develop specifications, policies, and procedures.
• Serve on committees and contribute to lab-wide initiatives

Other:

• This position requires regular travel to other LIGO installations and collaborating institutions in Livingston, Louisiana, Hanford, Washington, and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in Physics, Astronomy, or Engineering with a PhD in a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a related field.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design, analysis, and testing for interferometry.
• Experience directly using scientific observation and analysis, creative thinking, and method development to solve problems related to scientific instrumentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Caltech systems
• Experience in federally funded environments
• History of working in and with International Collaborations with Optical scientists and other professionals, including mechanical, electrical, and computer engineers, physicists, and research scientists, to invent original concepts for optical products and improve existing devices.
• Experience working in a group of 5 or more staff.

Required Documents

• Resume.
• Cover letter summarizing relevant experience and interest in working at LIGO Lab.

Hiring Range

$63,000 - $89,000 Per Year
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 a job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .