Job description

The Complex Engineered Materials (CEM) Research Group at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, OH is looking for a qualified research-grade postdoctoral candidate with experience in the areas of optics, photonics, and electromagnetics to support a research effort relating to design, fabrication and characterization of metasurfaces and metamaterials, with particular focus on developing new nanofabrication techniques to enable multilayer metasurfaces. This research opportunity involves the design, fabrication and characterization of optical frequency metasurfaces and metamaterials. The candidate will serve as a contractor working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, developing/leveraging expertise in the cleanroom to fabricate metasurfaces as well as characterizing their performance. A major focus of this effort will be developing and tailoring fabrication approaches to develop true multilayer metasurfaces and other complex and novel paradigms which push performance bounds in this class of engineered material. The candidate will also have an opportunity to engage, learn and be involved in the design and simulation of these novel materials/devices. Working at AFRL is a unique opportunity to solve important, long-term challenges that guide research efforts in an environment that strongly encourages collaboration (government/academic/industry), publication in top journals, and conference attendance, as well as opportunities to collaborate with internal and external teammates, customers, and partners to create objectives and work plans, review designs, support experimentation, and/or transition technical designs. Requirements: • Must be a US Citizen. • Must be able to apply for and obtain a Secret clearance. • PhD: Physics, Optics, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related science or engineering field. • Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and will need to meet eligibility requirements for access to a classified environment and information. • Must be able to work in an office environment at a desk and computer using a keyboard and mouse; potential for remote work/work-from-home. • Must be able to work in a lab environment. • Must be able to lift or carry up to 25 pounds. • May travel ~10% to conferences, program reviews, industry meetings, or other collaborative events. Most or all travel would be CONUS (Continental United States). This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with cleanroom and other nanofabrication techniques applied to metasurface fabrication: the ideal candidate will have experience with electron beam lithography, photolithography, deposition, liftoff and etching techniques . • Experience with optical benchtop measurements: in particular measurements of optical metasurfaces to include their wavefront shaping and spectral performance. • Familiarity with or willingness to learn broader deposition and thin film characterization techniques. • Proficiency or willingness to learn soft-lithography techniques, such as nanoimprint lithography, for metasurface fabrication. • Experience with COMSOL, Lumerical, and/or HFSS. • Ability and desire to quickly learn new techniques, devise research plans, and develop expertise in technical topics related to photonics and optics. • Excellent written and oral communication skills as demonstrated by public presentations and peer-reviewed publications. • Proficiency in advanced data analysis and visualization. • Ability to work independently and in a group setting. • Proficiency or willingness to learn Python; desired experience with scientific python packages including NumPy, SciPy, Matplotib, scikit, and pandas. Why Work for Us? Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance warfighting outcomes. We offer: • 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 6% deferred, with immediate vesting • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—employee portion paid 100% by Core4ce • Unlimited access to training and certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development • Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses • Paid parental leave, PTO that grows with tenure, and generous holiday schedules • Got a big idea? At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing. Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status. *Core4ce provides the listed pay range for this position as a general guideline only and not as a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final offers may take into account a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, market data alignment, any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and other legal requirements.

Requirements

Must-haves

Must be a US Citizen.
Must be able to apply for and obtain a Secret clearance.
PhD: Physics, Optics, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a closely related science or engineering field.
Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and will need to meet eligibility requirements for access to a classified environment and information.
Must be able to work in an office environment at a desk and computer using a keyboard and mouse; potential for remote work/work-from-home.
Must be able to work in a lab environment.
Must be able to lift or carry up to 25 pounds.
May travel ~10% to conferences, program reviews, industry meetings, or other collaborative events. Most or all travel would be CONUS (Continental United States).
This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth.
Unlimited access to training and certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development
Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses
Got a big idea? At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing.
Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you.

Nice-to-haves

Experience with optical benchtop measurements: in particular measurements of optical metasurfaces to include their wavefront shaping and spectral performance.
Familiarity with or willingness to learn broader deposition and thin film characterization techniques.
Proficiency or willingness to learn soft-lithography techniques, such as nanoimprint lithography, for metasurface fabrication.
Experience with COMSOL, Lumerical, and/or HFSS.
Ability and desire to quickly learn new techniques, devise research plans, and develop expertise in technical topics related to photonics and optics.
Excellent written and oral communication skills as demonstrated by public presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Proficiency in advanced data analysis and visualization.
Ability to work independently and in a group setting.
Proficiency or willingness to learn Python; desired experience with scientific python packages including NumPy, SciPy, Matplotib, scikit, and pandas.
Why Work for Us?
Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance warfighting outcomes.

Application prep

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Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto

Parental Leave

Professional Development