Assistant Scientist Instrument Science

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

24d

About The Position

The University of Florida Department of Physics invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Assistant Scientist position specializing in precision optical measurements, beginning January 1, 2027. Candidates from all areas of precision optical measurements are welcome. The successful candidate will have extraordinary experience developing, implementing, and/or applying optical systems with picometer accuracy. The position involves research on precision measurements of optical instruments for gravitational-wave detectors, including the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). Work includes designing optical systems that measure telescope stability to 1 part in a trillion (picometer stability), and optical benches that properly match laser beams to ultra-stable cavities. The research also includes studying single-mode non-planar ring oscillator (NPRO) lasers operating near 2-micron wavelengths for cryogenically cooled laser interferometers using silicon optics. Related tasks include measuring laser tunability, designing mode-matching optics for optical cavities, studying phase modulation at 2-micron wavelengths, and demonstrating laser locking to cavities. The University of Florida has participated in the LIGO and LISA experiments for nearly 30 years, with ongoing work in instrument science, including measurements of prototype telescope length stability for space missions and development of a 2-micron laser. The role requires potential for excellence in mentoring a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body while establishing a well-recognized research program.

Requirements

Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in physics or a closely related field.
Relevant postdoctoral research experience.
Demonstrated extraordinary experience developing, implementing, and/or applying optical systems with picometer accuracy.
Demonstrated potential for excellence in mentoring a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body while establishing a well-recognized research program.

Responsibilities

Conduct research on precision measurements of optical instruments for gravitational-wave detectors such as LISA and LIGO.
Design optical systems capable of measuring telescope stability to 1 part in a trillion (picometer stability).
Design optical benches to match laser beams properly to ultra-stable cavities.
Study single-mode NPRO lasers operating near 2-micron wavelengths for cryogenically cooled laser interferometers using silicon optics.
Measure the tunability of near-2-micron lasers.
Design mode-matching optics for optical cavities.
Study methods for phase modulation at 2-micron wavelengths.
Demonstrate locking lasers to optical cavities.
Mentor a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body while establishing a well-recognized research program.