Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

The Optical and Quantum Systems Engineering Group (332E) provides lifecycle leadership in the formulation, planning and execution of the project systems engineering function for JPL quantum space flight instruments and ground systems. Our expertise includes systems architecting, project system engineering leadership, quantum atomic systems, quantum optical communication systems, optical ground-system development, and flight quantum system operations.

The Deep Space Quantum Link (DSQL, https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-022-00143-0) is a mission study to explore fundamental physics in the regime where general relativity plays a measurable role in quantum measurement. This postdoctoral scholar position is to support the DSQL project laboratory science and field demonstrations of new quantum optics technologies. We seek a postdoctoral scholar to advance experimental science and technology development required for the future DSQL mission.

Responsibilities:

We seek a Postdoc to join our group in support of NASA’s Deep Space Quantum Link technology development program. This opportunity reports to the Optical and Quantum Systems Engineering Group Supervisor.

Responsibilities will include:

• Experimental quantum optics laboratory science experiment development

• Experimental development of long-baseline optical interferometers, quantum interferometry, and related devices

• Supporting field demonstrations of free-space, quantum-optical communication systems in support of scientific goals

• Computer-aided modeling and simulation of mission scenarios for quantum optical science

• Publishing original research results in top-tier technical journals

• Mentorship of interns and other student employees

Qualifications:

• Required: PhD in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, optics, or related discipline with completed within the last four years. Emphasis of the degree should be on one of the following subdisciplines:

  • Experimental quantum optics

  • Free-space optical communications

  • Experimental optical interferometry

• Required skills in one or more of the following:

  • Object-oriented Python for scientific programming

  • Experience with Matlab

  • Data analysis

  • Embedded software development using FPGA’s, ASICs, PSOCs, etc.

  • Analog and digital electronics

• Desired: experience using cryogenic systems.

• Desired: experience using single-photon counting devices, including superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPD's), time-to-digital converters, time correlated single photon counter boards, and related electronics, firmware, and software development.

• Desired: experience with optical telescopes for free-space optical communication

• Desired: experience with long-baseline optical interferometry for metrological or fundamental physics application

• Should be a motivated individual who can work effectively within a diverse, multidisciplinary team structure.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their research accomplishments and interests.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.