Astronomical Optics Scientist

Space Telescope Science Institute•Baltimore, MD

6d•$130,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is NASA’s science operations center for the Hubble, Webb, and Roman Space Telescopes, and home to the Makidon Optics Laboratory conducting experiments in advanced high contrast imaging for future missions such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Our world-class astronomical research center is based on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland. The STScI Telescopes Branch is seeking an Astronomical Optics Scientist possessing a combination of astronomical, computational, and technical expertise to characterize, optimize, and model the optical performance of observatories supported at STScI. These include the James Webb Telescope (JWST), the future Habitable Worlds Observer (HWO), the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), aspects of the Roman Space Telescope (RST), and other potential missions and related studies. This position can support hybrid work. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to our local market. (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV). This position requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residence to meet ITAR requirements. The emphasis will be on characterizing and maximizing observatory optical performance and image quality—particularly the stellar point spread function in imaging, coronagraphic, and spectroscopic modes—to increase science value, both through operational strategies and by providing the astronomical community tools and resources for understanding their image quality. For JWST, and to a lesser extent HST, this entails maintaining mirror alignment, characterizing how it is affected by a variety of in-flight factors, and capturing that knowledge in reports and tools for the science user. It may also deliver science value by monitoring and modeling straylight and thermal background changes and their effects on sensitivity. For HWO, the work will involve providing astronomically and optically informed modeling and simulation tools to explore wavefront, image quality, and coronagraphic performance as a function of assumed architectures and operations concepts, through participation in seminal design and trade studies.

Requirements

Experience with optical and infrared astronomy instrumentation, data processing, and research applications
Working knowledge of (and experience with) optical design and modeling of astronomical observatories, preferably spaceborne
Strong expertise in Fourier optical modeling of astronomical optics: example applications may include modeling point spread functions, image-based wavefront sensing and phase retrieval, modeling coronagraphic or interferometric optical systems with complex and/or segmented pupils
Demonstrated proficiency with astronomical software development and implementations, particularly in Python using core astronomy packages such as numpy, Astropy, matplotlib
Advanced degree in astronomy, optics, or in a closely related field with equivalent experience in optical analysis
5 years of academic and/or professional experience in the analysis of engineering and science data from astronomical telescopes
US Citizenship or Permanent Residence to meet ITAR requirements
Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to our local market. (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV)

Nice To Haves

Practical experience with phase retrieval, deconvolution, kernel phase, and/or other advanced techniques in astronomical image processing and calibration
Familiarity with JWST & HST data, and/or planned RST science data and modes, and/or HWO studies
Authorship of open-source Python packages on GitHub in related areas
Working knowledge of commonly used optical modeling software packages (e.g. CodeV, Zemax), or a clear ability to rapidly develop user-level familiarity with these as needed
PhD degree, and/or a substantial astronomical research portfolio is preferred
Some fraction of the time may also be used to conduct independent research, if grants or other mechanisms are available to support this.

Responsibilities

analyze telescope performance and model the resulting effects on science for current and future space observatories
serve on the team that maintains and enhances observatory optical quality
contribute to the scientific assessment of telescope/instrument performance
support the science community and enhance user tools for applying optical performance knowledge to science analyses (e.g. STPSF, exposure time calculators, background models)
explore wavefront and/or coronagraphic contrast as a function of future mission architectures and operations concept trade studies
investigate, diagnose, and resolve telescope anomalies
potentially support research programs focusing on optical systems and instrumentation (such as laboratory tests of technologies for HWO, and, on longer timescales, potential future involvement with integration and testing of HWO instrumentation)

Benefits

Employer retirement contribution – direct STScI contribution of 10% of your salary from your first day
12 days sick leave, up to 24 days’ vacation, and 10 paid holidays
Flexible work schedule with healthy work/life balance
Comprehensive medical/dental/vision/prescription plans, and more!

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