About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
Extraordinary co-workers
Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at:
These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Appointee to advance silicon photonic and other integrated photonic technologies for quantum (ex. quantum computing, network, clock, inertial sensor), analogy signal processing (ex. RF microwave filtering / channelizing, image compression, vector multiplication), data communications (ex. fiber, free-space), and harsh environment (ex. radiation, cryogenic) applications using heterogeneous integration, innovative designs, and novel physics phenomena. The postdoc will have opportunities to collaborate with 60+ researchers in Sandia's National Security Photonics Center using Sandia's unique Microsystems and Engineering Sciences Applications (MESA) Fabrication Facility. .
On any given day, you may be called on to:
Perform ground-breaking scientific research in broad wavelength integrated photonic platforms with different heterogeneous integrated materials through theoretical analysis, simulation, design, and characterization of novel devices and systems for both classical and quantum applications.
Implement new concepts in device design, measurement, fabrication, and packaging.
Perform experiments in laser laboratories and other laboratories with special environment.
Build world-first application demonstrations with photonic devices.
Collaborate with researchers within the department and across Sandia Labs as well as external academia, industry, and government partners.
Report research results in top-tier journals and conferences.
Generate new intellectual property through patent filing as applicable.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Qualifications We Require
PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Optical Science, or other related STEM field conferred within five (5) years prior to employment
Experience in:
performing original research, demonstrated through a record of invention, original publications in top-tier journals, and conference papers and presentations
device design and experimental characterization
using software for device performance simulations using, for example, COMSOL, Matlab/Simulink, FDTD codes etc.
Familiarity with basic knowledge of semiconductor physics and optical materials
Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE L clearance
Qualifications We Desire
Background in:
integrated photonics applications such as quantum sensing, networking and computing, LIDAR, imaging, RF photonics, or optical communications
radio frequency circuits and systems
cryogenic testing equipment and methods
radiation science and radiation testing
Experience in one or more of the following:
design and test of photonics devices (such as waveguides, gratings, modulators, lasers, amplifiers, optical detectors)
design and test of photonics microsystems, i.e. integrated optical circuits with passive and active integrated devices
small-scale optical packaging of silicon photonics devices, including co-packaged with electronic chips
high-speed characterization of devices, testing automation, electrical probe stations, operation of high speed and high frequency test equipment, such as bit error rate test equipment, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and high-speed oscilloscopes.
interfacing electrical components to optical microsystems; examples are modulator drivers, transimpedance amplifiers, and electronic control circuits.
expertise in fabrication (including heterogeneous integration), characterization, and usage of various optical materials (ex. silicon, III-V materials, thin film lithium niobate, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, germanium, phase-change materials, 2-D materials) and magnetic materials.
Strong theoretical background in optical communication, RF communication, quantum optics and/or quantum computing
About Our Team
The Photonic and Phononic Microsystems Department develops and matures state of the art photonic and phononic technologies for a variety of national security purposes. Our team of interdisciplinary researchers innovates, develops, and applies novel technologies including silicon photonics, nanophotonics, optomechanics, optical metamaterials, plasmonics, optical detectors, guided wave optics, phononic and thermoelectric technologies, spanning fundamental research to path-finding engineering solutions. In the last 10 years, the Photonic and Phononic Microsystems Department has generated numerous world-firsts, high-impact publications/journal covers and received 70+ patents, multiple R&D 100 awards, and significant DARPA/DOD/DOE funding award.
For more information, check out our website at Sandia's National Security Photonics Center
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance
Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Position Information
This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.
Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.
