Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position HighlightsThe James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences is seeking candidates to fill a Postdoctoral Research Associate position with background in hardware design, development, implementation and testing of a free-space optical laser communication system. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a government funded research project with a team of faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students, along with industrial and university partners.

Please note: Due to ITAR/EAR restrictions the successful candidate must be a U.S. Citizen or hold permanent resident status.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Co-lead research effort on hardware development of free-space laser communication system. Design, develop, implement, and test transmitter and receiver terminal consisting of a laser source, a modulator, a beam steering mechanism and optics such as Galvo mirror, fast steering mirror, and MEMS diffractive beam steerer, detectors such as quad detectors, high speed detectors, and cameras. The successful candidate requires knowledge and track-record practice on opt-mechanical-electrical system development and testing.
• Effectively collaborate with faculty, staff, and students at University of Arizona. As a responsible point of contact and technical lead of hardware development, manage and coordinate efforts among the team at University of Arizona, and with external industry and university partners.
• Keep track of progress and document. Assist preparation of report and presentations to sponsor. Prepare documents for industrial and university partners. Prepare journal and conference manuscripts and publish and present them.
• Assist PI to prepare proposals to existing and prospective sponsors.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge on theory on free space optical communication, air turbulence and adaptive optics correction.
• Familiarity with spatial light modulators such as LCoS, and DMD, and with beam steering modalities to control such devices.
• Knowledge of interfacing camera and detectors to opt-electro-mechanical system.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in optics related disciplines, such as electrical engineering, physics, astronomy mechanical engineering upon hire.
• Demonstrated and extensive experience in design, development, implementation and testing of opt-mechanical-electrical-photonics systems.
• Due to ITAR/EAR restrictions the successful candidate must be a U.S. Citizen or hold permanent resident status.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with adaptive correction of aberrations by air turbulence.
• Experience with GPU programming, FPGA, and DNN in image recognition is a great plus.
• Track record of publications and conference presentations.
• Experience with hands on lab work.
  
  

FLSAExemptFull Time/Part TimeFull TimeNumber of Hours Worked per Week40Job FTE1.0Work CalendarFiscalJob CategoryResearchBenefits EligibleYes - Full BenefitsRate of Pay$61,008 - $62,000Compensation Typesalary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)Type of criminal background check required:Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)Number of Vacancies1Target Hire Date7/29/2024Expected End DateContact Information for CandidatesLisa Armijo-larmijo@optics.arizona.eduOpen Date6/14/2024Open Until FilledYesDocuments Needed to ApplyCurriculum Vitae (CV)Special Instructions to ApplicantDiversity StatementAt the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety ReportIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

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