Research Scientist Intern, Anisotropic Optics and Photonics (PhD)

Meta Platforms, Inc.•Redmond, WA

50d

About The Position

Meta Reality Labs brings together a world-class team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR and VR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect. We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain-computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR and VR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives. Our internships are twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year.

Requirements

Currently has or is in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Imaging, or relevant technical field
Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
2+ years experience in at least one of the following areas of optical research: wave optics, polarization optics, diffraction optics, or geometrical optics, metasurface, computational EM, emphasizing modeling and/or prototyping
2+ years experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and Mathematica)

Nice To Haves

Intent to return to the degree program after the completion of the internship/co-op
Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
2+ years experience with optical design programs such as Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL, Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar
2+ years experience with experimental optics and conducting laboratory work (i.e., demonstrated ability to construct proof-of-concept systems and to evaluate performance)
2+ years of experience in system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of bench-top optical components
Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO, or similar

Responsibilities

Design and simulate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) utilizing anisotropic and birefringent materials for novel optical functionalities.
Develop and apply advanced simulation tools and methodologies for analyzing light propagation, polarization control, and device performance within anisotropic media.
Explore innovative waveguide designs and photonic components (e.g., modulators, filters, couplers) specifically tailored for the unique properties of anisotropic birefringent materials.
Collaborate with materials scientists and fabrication engineers to understand material limitations and opportunities, guiding PIC design for manufacturability.
Analyze the impact of material anisotropy and birefringence on overall PIC performance, including polarization dependence, crosstalk, and loss.
Contribute to the development of design rules and best practices for PICs in anisotropic material platforms.
Collaborate with researchers and cross-functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results.
Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals.
This position will have an emphasis on advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts. Specifically, optical design and modeling of waveguides and other photonic components to meet system requirements, and prototyping through cross-collaboration with fabrication experts.

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