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 & 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. The Photonics and Microelectronics Division currently performs advanced research and development that involves the development & packaging of new materials and micro-electronic device technologies, spacecraft hardware, photonic integrated circuits, and RF/millimeter-wave devices. The 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 the synthesis and deposition of advanced materials and semiconductors; materials physics and chemistry; weathering of materials in space; design, simulation, fabrication, packaging and measurement of RF and photonic ICs and subsystems, fiber optics & comms, and building optical & RF subsystems with both discrete components & ICs. 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 their 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 results

Additional Responsibilities

• Conduct benchtop experiments in the optics laboratory using free-space & fiber optics, lasers, modulators, amplifiers, integrated circuits, etc.
• Build and characterize RF subsystems with discrete components, ICs, apertures, etc.
• Integrate GTRI custom sensors and subsystems into UAS, pods, and aircraft, etc.
• Integrate off-the-shelf devices such as radars, communications systems, lidars, lasers, sensors into functional systems and onto platforms, to meet project goals
• 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 have a graduation date of no later than Dec 2024
• B.S. degree in applied physics, electrical engineering, physics, or microelectronics
• Strong 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, lasers, CCDs, and/or focal plane arrays, 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.
• 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.
• 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 core applied physics & electrical engineering backgrounds
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to a non-technical audience

Travel Requirements

<10% 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

• 0 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineer, Physics, Microelectronics or closely related 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://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services.  Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.