Laser Physicist

Responsibilities

• Design, modify, operate, and maintain advanced pulsed laser systems.
• Enhance laser beam quality by specifying, sourcing, and installing optical components and hardware.
• Select optical components based on laser damage thresholds, transmission, and beam quality requirements; collaborate with vendors to refine specifications and procure these optics.
• Develop clear procedures and documentation for technicians, providing training on complex laser systems to enable basic maintenance and alignment tasks.
• Plan, execute, and oversee spectroscopic experiments, ensuring accurate data collection and thorough analysis.
• Calibrate laser characterization devices and ensure experimental data is acquired accurately and free of artifacts.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, offering clear technical guidance to support the design and development of laser systems.

Qualifications

• BS with 3+ years of experience, MS with 1-2 years of related lab experience, PhD desired.
• Advanced knowledge in solid state and gas pulsed lasers and characterization of laser pulses.
• Ability to own and maintain complex laser systems.
• Experience in specifying, budgeting, purchasing, installing, and operating laser systems, detectors, optics, spectrometers, and other scientific research equipment.
• Experience in nonlinear frequency conversion processes.
• Independent troubleshooting and solving non-trivial technical issues.
• Planning, managing, and executing laser-based experiments.
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
• Highly self-motivated, with the ability to work independently without guidance.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum.
• Desired PhD in electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, or related fields.
• Expertise in optical spectroscopy, gas kinetics, and data processing.
• Experience in laser gain dynamics.
• Experience with electro-optical devices.
• Experience in pulse shaping of laser pulses.
• Experience in spectral shaping of laser pulses.
• Hands-on experience with aligning Ti:Sapphire laser systems.
• Familiarity with fiber optics.
• Experience working with high-damage-threshold optics.
• Knowledge of phase mask and/or free-form optic manufacturing, specification, and alignment.
• Experience with ns and fs pulse diagnostics and characterization (spectral and temporal).
• Experience with vacuum systems.
• Experience leading teams of optical, laser, and controls engineers.
• Experience building laser beamlines.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research laser facilities, such as national labs.
• Experience in writing scientific papers.
• Experience in Matlab, Python, and LabVIEW.