Postdoctoral Associate

Job Summary

The Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) encourages applications for Postdoctoral Associates! These research positions involve development of nonlinear integrated photonic devices, including semiconductor lasers monolithically integrated with OPOs. Specifically, we are developing devices based on hybrid-integrated III-V semiconductor thin films. These devices will be used for many applications, including nonlinear frequency conversion. This includes supercontinuum generation, second-harmonic generation, spontaneous down-conversion, and other processes that take advantage of the strong nonlinear optical behavior of group III-V semiconductors including GaAs, AlGaAs, InGaP, and more. Ultimately, these devices will play a role in complete systems such as mode-locked lasers, frequency combs, and more.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists.

The particular group that needs a researcher is the Quantum Nanophotonics Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Design and simulate passive and active photonic devices, including lasers, dispersion-engineered waveguides for nonlinear frequency conversion, tapered waveguide couplers, ring resonators, cavities, filters, splitters, and more. Various commercially available software packages (Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL, FIMMWAVE) will be utilized.
• Fabricate integrated photonic devices at the wafer-scale in NIST’s world-class Boulder Microfabrication facility, a 10,000 sq ft, Class-100 cleanroom ideally suited for rapid prototyping with novel processes.
• Characterize device performance using NIST’s optical metrology facilities. This includes passive device characterization, as well as nonlinear optical experiments to assess conversion efficiency, noise properties, and bandwidth of frequency conversion processes.
• Plan and implement fiber-to-chip coupling strategies suitable for unique substrates and geometries, culminating in fully-packaged devices that can be deployed to harsh environments.
• Work with other research groups inside and outside of NIST to integrate functional devices into complete systems that serve scientific goals in metrology and physical sensing.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this full-time position is $69,000 - $83,000 annually.

Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expenses.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements

Be accomplished. Be empowered. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Previous technical experience in integrated photonic device design, fabrication, and characterization.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Microfabrication; simulation of optical devices with COMSOL, Lumerical, FIMMWAVE, or similar.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume/CV.
2. Cover letter.
3. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Lisa Valencia

Posting Contact Email: recruitprep@colorado.edu