Pasadena, CA, US,
91101
Contractor, Full Time
9 October 2025The Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy at Caltech invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship in astrophotonics. The Exoplanet Technology Laboratory (ETL) is seeking a postdoctoral candidate to join the laboratory to develop photonic integrated circuit-based nullers. The goal of the ETL is to develop advanced technologies and techniques to improve the science capabilities for detecting and characterizing exoplanets both on the ground and from space. In this vein, the ETL has a state-of-the-art high contrast testbed known as the High Contrast Spectroscopy Testbed (HSCT), a nulling testbed and a photonic design and characterization workstation. This position will involve active research in the development of advanced photonic nulling technologies, which can help address the starlight suppression issue present in the field of exoplanets. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to ongoing projects and collaborate with faculty members and research teams. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position with a start date of September 1, 2025 (or earlier) or a date agreeable with the faculty sponsor.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will:
* Support the design of the components and circuits (including splitters, intensity and phase modulators, achromatic phase delays and tri-couplers),
* Work closely with foundries to realize circuit layouts,
* Plan and execute experiments to characterize photonics,
* Analyze data and perform component and system level simulations.
* Work collaboratively with the project nulling team.
* Communicate clearly through written project technical reports.
* Prepare and deliver clear technical presentations.
* Attend group meetings.
* Publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
* Disseminate results at conferences and in seminars.
* On occasion visit collaborators at other institutions (UCLA)
Qualifications/Training Requirements:
* A PhD in photonics, electrical engineering, physics, instrumentation or related field.
* Technical experience in at least two of the following: design, fabrication, characterization, or simulation of photonics.
* Experience planning and executing optical /photonic characterization experiments.
* Experience acquiring and analyzing data.
* Experience with automating experiments/data acquisition.
* Experience with python.
* Excellent written and oral communications skills and ability to work collegially with astronomical faculty.
Supervisors: Professor Dimitri Mawet and Dr. Nemanja Jovanovic
Compensation and Benefits
- As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible
- One-time allowance to assist with the move.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Application Details
Applications should be submitted to jlm@astro.caltech.edu