Core4ce is seeking a talented Meta Optics Research Scientist to carry out meta-optics R&D at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. This research position resides within the Optical Coatings group of the Photonic Materials Branch (RXEP). At the broadest level, meta-optics research within AFRL/RXEP plans, directs, and carries out in-house and extramural R&D of materials-based technologies with an emphasis in functional optical coating applications.

Responsibilities

• Focus on the development, fabrication, and comprehensive characterization of advanced meta-optics.
• Conduct experimental fabrication and characterization of emergent optical coating technologies in conjunction with existing in-house capabilities.
• Hands-on experience involving the fabrication of optical metasurfaces is required.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication skills are also required for this position.

Requirements

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or closely related science, engineering, or mathematics field.
• PhD entry level or 0-3 years of professional research experience post PhD.
• Proven track record in designing and/or fabricating optical metasurfaces.
• Strong understanding of electromagnetic theory, photonics, and optics.
• Excellent technical communication skills as demonstrated by research conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience with clean room fabrication techniques, including direct write lithography, e-beam lithography, nanoimprinting, or thin film deposition.
• Experience with experimental optical characterization of thin films or metasurfaces (e.g., UV/Vis/NIR and FTIR spectrophotometry, polarization-dependent spectrophotometry, temperature-dependent spectrophotometry, spectroscopic ellipsometry, etc.).
• Experience with compositional, morphological, or topological experimental characterization of optical thin films or metasurfaces (e.g., XPS, XRD, XRR, AFM, SEM, TEM, etc.).
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently, and seamlessly engage in proficient collaborative teamwork dynamics.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Active Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Must be able to work in a laboratory environment and lift or carry up to 25 lbs.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with physical vapor deposition such as magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, e-beam evaporation, or thermal evaporation.
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or Mathematica and associated coding languages.
• Experience deducing structure-property-processing relationships of thin films and optical coating systems through systematic design of experiments.
• Familiarity with numerical simulation tools for electromagnetic modeling and design optimization (e.g., COMSOL, Lumerical FDTD, Lumerical HEAT, etc.).
• Familiarity with machine learning or artificial intelligence techniques for optical design.
• Ability to research, learn, and devise new experimental techniques or technical concepts.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.