RF Photonics - Postdoctoral Researcher

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Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$117,900 - $135,060 Annually for the PDS.1 Level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher within the Radio Frequency Photonics Group. The group consists of a diverse team of scientists and engineers with expertise in photonics, nonlinear and ultrafast optics, high-speed RF electronics, digital signal processing, and integrated photonics. This position is in the Materials Engineering Division (MED), within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will 

• Conduct research in and development of one or more of the following areas: photonics, fiber optics, nonlinear optics, ultrafast pulse shaping and diagnostics, high-speed / ultra-wideband RF electronics, photonic A/D and D/A conversion, photonic integrated circuits, and digital signal processing.
• Design, model, build, implement, and/or analyze systems in one or more of the above areas.
• Perform microfabrication, analysis, characterization, experimental development, experimental execution, data collection, interpretation, and reporting to develop and optimize processes for fabrication of photonic integrated circuits in an off-site cleanroom.  
• Determine solutions to technical problems involving the processing and utilization of materials by using standard techniques and methodologies.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from research to the team.
• Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, design, and execution of research to address defined problems.
• Pursue independent, yet complementary, research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists and engineers internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Publish novel ideas as patents, and potentially publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences seminars and/or technical meetings.
• Guide colleagues in work and provide technical support to successfully meet project deliverables.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• PhD in Physics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with one or more of the following areas: photonics, fiber optics, nonlinear optics, ultrafast pulse shaping and diagnostics, high-speed / ultra-wideband RF electronics, photonic A/D and D/A conversion, integrated photonics, mixed signal circuits, wireless communications, radar, digital signal processing.
• Experience in Class 100 cleanroom fabricating and characterizing samples to evaluate process performance.  
• Ability as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Ability to develop independent research projects as demonstrated through publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with ultrafast laser sources, diagnostics, high-speed RF instrumentation, fiber optic devices and systems.
• Experience with a full fabrication stack including thin-film deposition or sputtering, resist spinning, lithography, and etching.
• Experience with free space optical systems and free space/fiber hybrid systems design and alignment.  
• Experience building hybrid optical and electronic systems.
• Experience with Matlab software.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.) 

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities.  The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position.  To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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