Materials Researcher

This position is open to all qualified US citizens and will accept candidate submissions until 5:00 PM EST, 2 September 2026. The AFRL Foundational Technology Directorate seeks to hire a mid-level researcher specializing in Directed Energy source materials, non-linear optics, and advanced photophysical characterization.

About the Role

This position will be filled at the DR-02 level within the Photonic Materials Branch (REEXPE) of the Photonic, Electronic & Soft Materials Division (REE) at the Foundational Technology Directorate (RE), located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Synthesizes, fabricates, and compositionally/spectroscopically characterizes novel organic and inorganic non-linear optical materials as next-generation solutions for electromagnetic spectrum survivability applications.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains critical optical metrology capabilities (including modulation transfer, bidirectional scattering distribution functions, and angle-resolved scattering) to improve material manufacturability and technological readiness.
• Oversees day-to-day workflow, instrument upkeep, and rigorous safety protocols for advanced laser user facilities, including femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed source lasers.
• Works closely with industrial partners to transfer laboratory-scale technical knowledge to commercial scale, supporting active Phase II SBIR projects and evaluating development subcontracts to risk-reduce new material solutions.
• Interfaces and collaborates regularly with external academic, industry, and international defense partners to test and evaluate spectroscopic properties across mission-relevant wavebands.
• Directs, instructs, and mentors undergraduate research interns to cultivate future STEM talent and communicate the operational mission of AFRL.
• Contributes to core technical sections of large-scale contract proposals, authors high-impact peer-reviewed publications, and prepares/delivers high-level technical briefings to senior management and external advisory boards.

Requirements

• US Citizenship.
• Must have a current Secret security clearance and be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Must have Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management or obtain within 60 months of assignment.
• Must meet, or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Selectee is required to submit annual Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 450).
• This is a drug testing designated position; incumbent is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term appointment with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

Qualifications

• Nonlinear Optics & Photophysics Expertise: Demonstrated mastery in the synthesis, fabrication, and photophysical characterization of organic/inorganic compounds, hybrid sol-gel glasses, and rare-earth-doped microcrystals for optical tracking and sensor protection.
• Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques: Thorough technical proficiency in absorption and luminescence spectroscopy, as well as time-resolved methods including nanosecond and ultrafast/femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy.
• Laser Systems Operations: Hands-on experience operating, troubleshooting, and configuring pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) laser systems, with specific expertise in managing laser user workflows and installing femtosecond pulsed source lasers.
• Optical Metrology Design: Proven capability to design, establish, and implement custom optical metrology setups, such as beam profiling, angle-resolved scattering, and modulation transfer functions to evaluate materials.
• Technology Transfer & Industrial Translation: Proven experience collaborating on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II projects or multi-million dollar defense subcontracts (e.g., IDIQ frameworks), successfully migrating benchtop discoveries to industry risk-reduction phases.
• Laboratory Safety Leadership: Documented success serving as a Laboratory Safety Officer or equivalent role, including writing standard operating procedures (SOPs), overhauling chemical hygiene plans, ensuring strict safety compliance, and managing chemical inventories.
• Communication & Dissemination Excellence: Exceptional written and oral communication skills, evidenced by a prolific record of scientific literature contributions and high-visibility presentations to management and external advisory boards.

Schedule

This position is eligible for situational telework, as determined by agency policy.