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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.
JPL’s Optical Communication Systems Group leads NASA’s optical communications development to make future space communications and navigation with light practical while taking advantage of virtually unconstrained optical bandwidth. The group is pursuing the integration of advanced flight and ground technologies for enabling space-to-ground bidirectional link demonstrations.
The group is searching for a postdoc who will be involved in technology demonstration operations, specifically related to the adaptive optics systems at the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory (OCTL). JPL currently uses adaptive optics developed primarily for astronomy under nighttime, relatively benign atmospheric conditions. The postdoc’s research will aim at evolving the system to function under daytime conditions, adding complexity. The postdoc will apply their theoretical understanding of adaptive optics compensation for space-to-ground optical signal coupling into a single-mode fiber, along with modeling complex optical alignments—primarily with reflective optics—to enhance OCTL’s system performance.
The group is searching for candidates with the following skills and interests:
Familiarity and experience in adaptive optics systems operations and trouble- shooting,
A theoretical understanding of the underlying technology and mathematics involved in adaptive optics compensation for coupling space-to-ground optical signal into a single mode optical fiber is required,
Interest in system setup, alignment and development of reconstructors for high-rate AO correction is emphasized,
Experience modeling complex optical alignment involving mainly reflective optics with appropriate tools is desired, with experience reconciling model predictions and experimental observations,
Interest and pursuit of knowledge in operating laser communication links from optical ground stations would be an added benefit,
Ability to support and closely integrate with existing team of engineers to get trained on ongoing operations as well as bring new ideas to enhance system performance.
Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. with experience in optical engineering, both use of modern design tools and hands on experience in aligning optics,
Experience in laser communications with an emphasis on adaptive optics highly desired.
Space ground free-space optical communications is being actively pursued by JPL and individuals motivated to join the team and mature this field are sought.
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. Postdoc 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.
$82,180 – $82,180
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.
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 U.S. Citizens, 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.
