Applied Physicist-EOSL-Open Rank (Entry-Junior Level) Georgia Tech Research Institute - 4.1 Atlanta, GA Job Details 18 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Tuition reimbursement Retirement plan Qualifications Laboratory experiment design Electronic meters Computer operation Engineering development testing Automation Electrical system design Electronic parts Materials analysis (analytical chemistry specialty) Electrical engineering training Design engineering Physical analysis Computer skills Radio frequency (RF) testing Electrical parts Power testing Sensors Circuit boards Full Job Description 501299

Atlanta, Georgia Antenna Electromagnetics Hardware Development/Design Researchers Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry. Georgia Tech's Mission and Values Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 1. Students are our top priority. 2. We strive for excellence. 3. We thrive on diversity. 4. We celebrate collaboration. 5. We champion innovation. 6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression. 7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community. 8. We act ethically. 9. We are responsible stewards. Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact. Project/Unit Description The Photonics and Microelectronics Division (PMD) in the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory (EOSL) of GTRI is searching for an entry-level Applied Physicist willing and able to work on multiple projects within the Division, as the need arises, including conducting laboratory experiments, modeling experimental data, and building hardware. PMD currently performs advanced research and development that involves development and packaging of photonic / RF / fiber optic subsystems, photonic integrated circuits, RF/millimeter-wave devices, advanced materials and components, and spacecraft hardware. Components and sub-systems are used in a variety of systems and applications, primarily for aerospace and national security platforms. The successful candidate will support work across the Division, as described in the Additional Responsibilities section. The PMD team is skilled in fiber optics and comms; building optical & RF subsystems with both discrete components & ICs; design, simulation, fabrication, packaging and measurement of RF and photonic ICs and subsystems; synthesis and deposition of advanced materials and semiconductors; materials physics and chemistry; and weathering of materials in low earth orbit. PMD is a leader in the Georgia Tech Microelectronics community as well as the Space Technology community. GTRI offers a dynamic, collaborative environment, where research faculty generate new ideas for projects to serve the needs of the warfighter and national security, with opportunities to perform on projects outside the division to broaden their knowledge & experience. Job Purpose An applied physicist leverages knowledge and skills from the fields of physics, chemistry, material science, and mathematics to contribute to the research, analysis, design, and development of innovative systems, sensors, materials, and devices. They design and conduct experiments and/or simulations to ascertain physical properties and behaviors. Experiments conducted may involve the measurement, characterization, and testing of equipment and environmental phenomenology using specialized tools. Fundamental physical principles are used to inform the design of systems and sensors, to evaluate their theoretical performance, and to develop algorithms.

Areas of application may include:

optical systems, energy systems and storage, quantum systems, EO/IR & RF M&S and analysis, and photonics, and new materials. An applied physicist might also contribute to the development and application of new materials related to energy production, harvesting, and storage or to areas as diverse as healthcare, entertainment, or national security. Key Responsibilities Perform basic tests, experiments, calculations, and/or simulations to determine physical parameters/properties and behaviors of materials and systems and conduct basic data analysis on the results of measurements and/or simulations Perform literature surveys on research topics Generate documentation of experiments and result Additional Responsibilities Conduct benchtop experiments in the optics laboratory using free-space & fiber optics, lasers, modulators, amplifiers, common integrated circuits, etc. Build and characterize RF subsystems with discrete components, common ICs, apertures, etc. Integrate GTRI custom sensors and subsystems into UAS, pods, aircraft, etc. Integrate off-the-shelf devices such as radars, communications systems, lidars, lasers, sensors into functional systems and onto platforms. Design custom electronic circuits and circuit boards for project needs Assemble and test hardware for cubesats, including vacuum and cryogenic systems Required Minimum Qualifications Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must hav a graduation date of no later than May 2027 B.S. degree in applied physics, electrical engineering, physics, microelectronics, optical sciences Programming skills in MATLAB or Python. Skills in automation, interfacing computers with instruments and sensors for control / data collection, etc. Laboratory and computer skills as demonstrated in independent undergrad projects, graduate thesis research, laboratory internships, etc. Enjoyment of careful, hands-on lab work. Experience performing basic electrical, RF, and optical tests using equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, power meters, signal generators & analyzers. Familiarity with semiconductor devices, theory of operation, and applications Familiarity with principles of operation and understanding of specifications for common electronic and optical devices such as radar, lidar, radio & fiber optic comms links, or lasers, etc. Ability to design custom electronic circuits and circuit boards to meet project needs, with advice and supervision Strong sense of curiosity in both the technical and non-technical aspects of working in applied research. Broad interests and flexibility to contribute to different types of projects and assignments. Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance Preferred Qualifications Active Secret Clearance Ability to design custom electronic circuits and circuit boards to meet project needs, working independently Demonstrated design skills in optical and RF systems, and digital or analog electronics, from course work and project experience. Expertise and experience with acoustic sensing using fiber optics Experience and expertise in direct detection and coherent optical communications Detailed knowledge and experience with one or more common electronic and optical devices such as radar, lidar, radio & fiber optic comms links, lasers, CCDs, imagers, focal plane arrays, etc. Understanding of radiation effects on electronics and photonics Strong knowledge of radio frequency engineering, circuit concepts, microfabrication techniques, or device physics Experience building subsystems with analog RF ICs, digital ICs, and/or photonic ICs. Working knowledge of microcontrollers & FPGAs and their integration into subsystems Characterization and test of bare die in a probe station, load pull measurements Basic mechanical engineering or materials science courses to supplement more applied physics & electrical engineering backgrounds Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to a non-technical audience Travel Requirements