Senior Optical Scientist: Laser Bioeffects & Imaging

ARA; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Optical Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team researching laser bioeffects and laser eye protection in a laboratory setting in San Antonio, TX.

The role involves experimental optics, spectroscopy, imaging, and advanced instrumentation development to support DoD research objectives. The successful candidate will work with physicists, engineers, biologists, and government researchers, leading experiments, analyzing data, and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Optical Science, Physics, Photonics or closely related field.
• Minimum 6 years of laser/optical lab research experience.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments involving lasers and optical systems.
• Strong grounding in optical physics and measurement techniques.
• US citizenship and active SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced optical experiments and laboratory instrumentation.
• Develop experimental optical configurations for measuring laser propagation and beam characteristics.
• Integrate fiber-optic systems, fluorescence imaging, detectors, and microscopy configurations.
• Apply linear and nonlinear optics to characterize interactions with materials and tissues.
• Develop optical diagnostic techniques using spectroscopy, interferometry, imaging, and related methods.
• Support experimental systems for optical bioeffects on biological samples and tissues.
• Collaborate with biologists to integrate optical instrumentation with biological experiments.
• Develop models and simulations of optical bioeffects.
• Create automated measurement and data acquisition systems.
• Analyze results and communicate findings in reports and publications.
• Identify emerging optical technologies to enhance research capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.

Skills

Laser physics

Experimental optics

Biomedical optics

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Master's degree in Optical Science/Physics/Photonics/EE/Biomedical Optics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Job description

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Optical Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team researching laser bioeffects and laser eye protection in a laboratory setting in San Antonio, TX.

The role involves experimental optics, spectroscopy, imaging, and advanced instrumentation development to support DoD research objectives. The successful candidate will work with physicists, engineers, biologists, and government researchers, leading experiments, analyzing data, and