Postdoc in Exoplanet Imaging Technology

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

The High Contrast Imaging Group and the Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) Office at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory invite applications for a postdoctoral research scholar to carry out modeling and characterization of coronagraph technologies for future space telescopes. The successful candidate will lead the development of a detailed optical model of a coronagraph instrument on a large aperture space telescope, including wave propagation through realistic optical surfaces, deformable mirrors, coronagraph masks, wavefront sensors, and detectors. The postdoc will use this model to compare the performance of various coronagraph architectures in realistic observing scenarios under closed-loop wavefront control. In addition, the appointee will have the opportunity to be involved in a range of laboratory experiments in the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) facility aimed at enabling the detection and characterization of Earth-like exoplanets with future space telescopes. The selected candidate will be expected to present results at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals in collaboration with the High Contrast Imaging Group and the HCIT team. Dr. Garreth Ruane will serve as the postdoctoral advisor.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a recent PhD in physics, astronomy, optics, or related field. Experience with coronagraph modeling, laboratory testing of optical instruments, and proficiency with Python and/or Matlab is desired. Related experience in astronomical instrumentation, adaptive optics, and/or photonics is also a plus. Candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years since the date of their application are eligible. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum duration 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. Application deadline is December 1, 2019. Questions about the position may be sent to [email protected].