Adaptive Optics - Postdoctoral Researcher

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$113,760 Annually

Job Description

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in adaptive optics (AO) and exoplanet imaging astronomical research. You will assist in the AO technology development for a space-based astronomical AO system. The LLNL AO group builds on a long heritage of astronomical AO projects, including at deploying AO systems at Lick, Keck, and Gemini South observatories. Astronomical researchers within LLNL are supported by the Space Science Institute, which includes the fields of AO and exoplanet imaging: https://space-science-stage.llnl.gov/research/adaptive-optics. This project will build on LLNL’s AO expertise to focus on developing an AO system for NASA’s future Habitable Worlds Observatory mission. This position is in Astronomy & Astrophysics Analytics (AAA) group within the Physics Division within the Physics and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate.

Applications are due by close of business on October 1, 2024. Please include a cover letter with your application and CV.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Develop, and perform simulations and laboratory testing of adaptive optics (AO) and exoplanet imaging technologies, with an emphasis on space-based applications;
• Contribute to other AO- and exoplanet imaging-related tasks and efforts;
• Conduct self-initiated research utilizing astronomical AO and exoplanet imaging systems, maintain an awareness of technical literature in assigned areas, publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences, seminars and/or technical meetings;
• Collaborate with other scientists and technical personnel to accomplish research goals;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Work must be performed by a U.S. person (e.g., U.S. citizen or permanent resident and certain others). Also, assignments longer than 179 days require a federal background investigation;
• PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, with emphasis on adaptive optics or a related field;
• Research experience in adaptive optics system design, testing, and/or operations;
• Proficiency in running and developing numerical adaptive optics simulation code in Python;
• Experience with the operation and performance of optical instrumentation;
• Experience working on a research team with individuals from diverse technical backgrounds, as well as function as an independent researcher with a high level of attention to details;
• Ability to contribute to and actively participate in the conception, design, and execution of research to address defined problems;
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to work in a multidisciplinary team environment, author technical and scientific reports and publications, and deliver scientific presentations;
• Documented publication record in peer-reviewed literature and technical reports.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with adaptive optics numerical simulation tools, such as HCIPy, and/or light propagation tools such as PROPER;
• Experience with design optimization of adaptive optics wavefront sensors and/or exoplanet imaging coronagraphs, including photonic devices;
• Experience with advanced adaptive optics control theory, such as modal gain optimization and/or Linear Quadratic Gaussian control;
• Significant experience with installing optical instrumentation in a laboratory and/or on telescopes;
• Experience with optical design software such as ZEMAX;
• Experience in adaptive optics real-time control programming languages such as C++;
• An interest in working on future adaptive optics projects related to national security, which requires obtaining and maintaining a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!;
• Flexible Benefits Package;
• 401(k);
• Relocation Assistance;
• Education Reimbursement Program;
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs);
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity;
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values;
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement.

Security Clearance

None required. However, this position involves U.S. Export Control; this work must be performed by a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. national, or U.S. protected individual (e.g., refugee, asylee)).

If your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.