Optical Systems Engineer | Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics

Rockefeller University • New York, NY

18d

About The Position

This is an exciting long-term opportunity for a creative, highly motivated, and ambitious candidate interested in working at the interface of optical systems engineering and neuroscience. The successful candidate will critically contribute to the mission of the Laboratory for Neurotechnology and Biophysics at The Rockefeller University by designing, building, and applying new types of multi-photon and other microscopy systems for recording neuroactivity at unprecedented scale, speed, and resolution within a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative academic environment that includes joint projects with academic and industrial partners. The ideal candidate must be both conceptually and technically strong, self-driven, highly organized, exhibit a strong work ethic, and be able to own and spearhead multiple projects. The Optical Systems Engineer will play a pivotal role in the conceptualization, design, construction, refinement, maintenance, and application of new custom optical neuroimaging technologies for various ongoing and new neurobiological projects that the lab is collaboratively pursuing with internal and external partners, which include neuroscientists with various interests and industrial partners. This position requires in-depth theoretical and hands-on expertise with optics and optical systems design and instrumentation development. Additional experience in the context of multi-photon in vivo microscopy, including experience working with rodents, animal behavior, and/or computational data processing, would be desirable but not required. This role presents an ideal opportunity for working at the forefront of optical neurotechnology development within a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The role provides multi-year growth potential, with the successful candidate having the opportunity to directly own and lead major long-term research thrusts of the lab on neurotechnology development, while offering additional growth opportunities into neurobiological or computational neuroscience directions, depending on the candidate's background and interests.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or related field
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant hands-on work experience in a scientific or industrial research environment involving microscopy, ultrafast optics, non-linear optics or opto-electronic hardware
• Self-driven, highly result-oriented, excellent communication and time management skills, the ability to effectively work in a team environment involving academics and industry and motivated by enabling engineering innovations with lasting practical impact
• Basic programming skills (e.g., Matlab, Python, LabView, SolidWorks, CAD)

Nice To Haves

• A track record as the lead experimental scientist or engineer for the construction of a complex optical, electro-optical or optomechanical system or instrument
• Experience in at least one, ideally multiple of these areas is highly desired: optical modeling and design software (e.g., ZEMAX), ultra-fast laser systems, complex free-space optical systems or fiber optics, mechanical design and fabrication, RF electronics and electronics design, optomechanical hardware control (LabView, FPGA programming), experience with large-scale data processing and cluster computing
• Additional experience in context of multi-photon in vivo microscopy including experience working with rodents, animal behavior and/or computational data processing

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the conceptualization and design of new multi-photon high-speed large-scale in vivo multi-photon optical neurotechnologies and drive their development, characterization, and applications together with neurobiologists
• Redesign and optimization of existing optical platforms and co-development of pre-commercial prototypes in close coordination with industrial partners
• Adaptation or modification of existing computational data processing and analysis pipelines
• Documentation, development of SOPs or drafting manuscripts for scientific publications and training of more junior scientists
• Support of collaborative projects and ongoing technology dissemination efforts

Benefits

• The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on various factors, including but not limited to organizational budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The hiring range provided represents The Rockefeller University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree