Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD)

Meta; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta Reality Labs offers twelve to twenty-four week internships for PhD candidates in optical science and related fields. The program emphasizes hands-on prototyping of benchtop optical components, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record of impactful publications.

Interns will engage in physical and geometric optics research, use tools like Zemax/Code V, and develop prototyping skills while preparing to return to their degree programs upon completion.

Qualifications

• PhD in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Opto-Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Imaging or related field.
• 2+ years of optical research experience in areas such as physical optics, geometric optics, aberration theory, or optical system prototyping.
• 2+ years of experience with optical design programs (Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, LightTools, FRED or similar).
• 2+ years of experience with scientific programming languages (MATLAB, Python, Mathematica).
• 2+ years of system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of benchtop optical components.
• Experience communicating cross-functionally in a team environment and achieving significant results (grants, fellowships, patents, publications).
• Proven track record of first-authored publications at major venues (JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO or similar).
• Intent to return to degree program after internship/co-op completion.

Skills

Optical research

Cross-functional teamwork

Scientific programming

Benchtop prototyping

Publications

Education

PhD in optics/related field

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

LightTools

FRED

Mathematica

Job description

Meta Reality Labs brings together a team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR and VR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect. We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain-computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR and VR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives.

Our internships are twelve to twenty-four weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year.

• Currently has or is in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Opto-Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Imaging or relevant technical field
• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
• 2+ years of experience in at least one of the following areas of optical research: physical optics, geometric optics, aberration theory, optical system prototyping
• 2+ years of experience with optical design programs such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar
• 2+ years of experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and Mathematica)
• Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences
• Intent to return to the degree program after the completion of the internship/co-op
• 2+ years of experience in system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of benchtop optical components
• Experience working and communicating cross-functionally in a team environment
• Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO, or similar