The Applied Physicist leverages knowledge and skills from the fields of physics, chemistry, material science, and mathematics to contribute to the technical leadership in research projects in the analysis, design, and development of innovative systems, sensors, or may focus on developing/applying new materials for energy storage systems and sensors. They design and conduct experiments and/or simulations to ascertain the physical properties and behaviors of systems. Experiments conducted may involve the measurement, characterization, and testing of equipment and environmental phenomenology using specialized tools. Modeling and simulation tools developed are based on fundamental physical principles and are used to inform the design of systems and sensors, to evaluate their theoretical performance, and to develop algorithms for command, control, and data exploitation. They perform fundamental experimental or theoretical work in areas such as optical systems, EO/IR & RF M&S and analysis, photonics and new materials. For example: the development of energy systems utilizing novel nanomaterials to create energy-producing, harvesting, and storage systems. An applied physicist contributes to the application of new materials to the healthcare, entertainment, and security areas.
Project/Unit Description
A Senior Applied Physicist in the Electro-Optical Systems Innovation Division (EOSID) leverages knowledge and skills from the fields of physics, chemistry, material science, and mathematics to contribute to research projects in the analysis, design, and development of innovative electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems or sensors. An Applied Physicist is proficient in modeling and simulation (M&S) tools based on fundamental physical principles and uses these tools to inform the design of systems and sensors, to evaluate their theoretical performance, and to develop algorithms for command, control, and data exploitation. This role performs fundamental, experimental, or theoretical work in areas such as optical systems, EO/IR & RF modeling and simulation, and analysis of photonics and new materials.
EOSID specializes in the complete optical imaging and remote sensing chain, from the analysis, design, development, integration, test and evaluation of imaging and sensing systems, to the processing, exploitation, and visualization of data and imagery. EOSID also specializes in modeling and simulation (M&S) of high-energy laser (HEL) propagation, engagements, and effects. EOSID makes critical contributions to national defense in the domains of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), directed energy (DE), and undersea warfare (USW).
Key Responsibilities Develop novel applications utilizing cutting edge research in physics Take ownership of small to moderately sized teams that may feature members with varying areas of expertise in executing tasks and projects, mentor junior scientists and manage schedule and budget for the project Responsible for contributing essential content/material for project deliverables and/or leading the development of specific deliverables Generate documentation of experiments and results Lead development of white papers and proposals Contribute to technical reports/presentations of project results Additional Responsibilities Perform research, simulations, and/or calculations in support of the development and/or employment of novel EO/IR systems and sensors Draw upon experience and expertise to perform and lead research and development (R&D) activities aimed at applying EO/IR technologies to significant operational challenges Lead R&D teams that may feature members with varying areas and levels of expertise, mentor junior researchers, and maintain schedules and budgets Provide technical vision and engineering recommendations on internally and externally funded projects Contribute to research reports, white papers, and competitive proposals Provide a level of effort estimates for tasks Lead and contribute to technical efforts in the analysis, construction, and design of optical systems for remote sensing applications Provide technical vision and engineering recommendations to guide sponsor decisions on R&D and program investments Take ownership of moderate to large-sized teams, mentor junior scientists, and manage schedules and budgets for projects Document work and capture research findings in an internal memorandum, sponsor briefs, conference proceedings, and journal articles Brief senior leadership and sponsors on technical research efforts Support field integration, data collection, and other testing activities relating to Electro-Optical Systems Perform complex calculations and/or simulations to determine physical parameters/properties and behaviors of materials and systems Participate in business development efforts by contributing to white papers, Request for Information (RFI)/Request for Proposal (RFP) responses, and proposing new research areas suitable for internal research and development (IRAD) funding Perform other duties as assigned Required Minimum Qualifications Experience in proposing, capturing, and executing projects for DoD and/or IC customers Experience with active and/or passive electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems and sensors such as lasers, VIS/SWIR/MWIR/LWIR imagers, Avalanche Photo-Diodes (APDs), photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), hyperspectral imagers, or lidar Experience with at least one high-level programming/scripting language (e.g., Python, C/C++, MATLAB) Experience in detailed mathematical analysis or M&S of optical systems, photonic systems, radar systems, communications systems, or electronic warfare systems Preferred Qualification Active Top Secret Security Clearance Experience with optical design and/or M&S tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, OSLO, TracePro, DIRSIG, etc.) Experience with high-speed image and/or signal processing techniques Experience with coherent imaging techniques (e.g., holography, optical coherence tomography, synthetic aperture lidar) Experience with computational imaging techniques Experience with atmospheric or bathymetric lidar Travel Requirements
10% - 25% travel
Education and Length of Experience
This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook
9 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Optical Science, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, Astrophysics, Astronomy, or related technical field 7 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Optical Science, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, Astrophysics, Astronomy, or related technical field 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Physics, Optical Engineering, Optical Science, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, Astrophysics, Astronomy, or related technical field U.S. Citizenship Requirements
Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.
Clearance Type Required
Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Benefits at GTRI
Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://hr.gatech.edu/benefits
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