Optical Scientist

Seti Institute • Mountain View, CA

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The NASA Ames Exoplanet Technology Group is seeking candidates with innovative ideas to develop solutions for NASA's future missions focused on directly imaging and spectrally characterizing exoplanets. This includes supporting the Roman Space Telescope's coronagraphic instrument and the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The role may involve participation in NASA's Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) for HWO, as well as planning and proposing astronomical observations, including supporting a contributed mode for the Roman coronagraphic instrument. The Optical Scientist will primarily support the Multi-Star Wavefront Control (MSWC) Project, with approximately 25% of their time dedicated to other projects. The position is primarily on-site at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA, with some flexibility for hybrid work. The successful applicant should have a strong interest in the listed responsibilities and relevant experience.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Optical Science, Astronomy, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 1-4 years of experience in setting up and conducting experiments in optical laboratories (including MS/PhD work).
• Experience with optical modeling, wavefront control, and astronomy.
• Experience coding in python, MATLAB, and/or other scientific programming languages.
• Experience in working in a team environment.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Must be a US Person as defined under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR § 120.62), as an individual who is a lawful U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), or a protected individual, such as a refugee or asylee. This is required for this role to enable the employee to access ITAR-restricted information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in high-contrast imaging / coronagraph laboratories is a significant plus.
• Experience with exoplanet science, especially around binary stars is a plus.
• Experience with Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is a plus.
• Experience with instruments and/or missions that have flown is a significant plus.

Responsibilities

• Innovate and invent techniques to improve performance and/or accelerate the maturation of high contrast imaging technologies.
• Support the currently funded MSWC project, with opportunities to contribute to other projects (e.g., PIAA-Vortex, AstroPIC photonic integrated circuits) and invent new ones.
• Perform computational modeling of instruments and missions (optical modeling, wavefront control, and expected science) using Python, MATLAB, and/or other scientific programming languages.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments to characterize the performance of high-contrast imaging systems and components (throughput, aberration sensitivity, contrast) on in-air and vacuum testbeds.
• Write and contribute to scientific papers.
• Present results at scientific workshops and conferences.
• Write and contribute to grant proposals.
• Work synergistically in collaboration with other researchers/scientists.
• Perform desk-based computer tasks for extended periods of time.
• Assemble and manipulate optical layouts on a testbed (grasp lightly, and use fine manipulation, lift, carry, push and pull objects that weigh up to 25 lbs).
• Stand, walk, reach, or work above shoulders and use a telephone.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
• Affirmative Action Employer.
• Encouragement for members of underrepresented communities and demographics to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ and people with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level