B. M. Hegelich
3 days ago
Postdoctoral Fellow, High-Repetition-Rate Ultrashort Pulse Laser Development The University of Texas at Austin in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Electrical Engineering
Funding
Salary starts at $70,000+, depending on qualifications.
Deadline
Feb 7, 2027
Country
United States
University
The University of Texas at Austin
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
The Center for High Energy Density Science (CHEDS) in the Department of Physics at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to contribute to high-power ultrashort-pulse laser science and engineering. The position is embedded in a research environment focused on developing and operating major laser facilities, including the Texas Petawatt (TPW) laser and the 40 TW UT3 laser system, with close connections to experimental work at UT, offsite partners, and US national laboratories.
The fellow will work on the design, construction, and characterization of a high-repetition-rate, short-pulse 1 µm laser front end for a planned few-Hz upgrade of TPW and as a stand-alone laser-ion source system. The project emphasizes ultrafast laser development, including pump lasers, stretcher/compressor design, spectral broadening, temporal contrast control, and full pulse and beam characterization. The role also involves supporting a distributed-gain-media, mixed-glass amplifier for TPW and contributing to the operation, maintenance, alignment, diagnostics, and continued development of the existing high-energy laser infrastructure.
Beyond the main front-end development, the postdoc will support laser-plasma experimental campaigns and assist in integrating new subsystems into the broader platform being built for the TeX-Ray effort. The successful candidate will work closely with experimentalists and technical staff, help train students and users in laser operation and safety, and contribute to publications and conference presentations arising from the laboratory’s ongoing laser science program.
Funding details
Salary starts at $70,000+, depending on qualifications.
What's required
Ph.D. in Physics, Optics, Laser Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field, completed within the last 3 years or by the start date. Applicants should have hands-on experience designing, building and operating ultrashort-pulse laser systems such as CPA, OPCPA, or Yb-based amplifiers; experience with nonlinear optics, frequency conversion or spectral broadening, and pulse/beam characterization (e.g., FROG, SPIDER, autocorrelation, wavefront and contrast measurements); experience with optical design and modeling tools such as Zemax or similar, plus optomechanics, vacuum and electronics in a laboratory setting; and a record of peer-reviewed publications in laser science or a related area. Preferred qualifications include experience with high-energy short-pulse glass lasers or Ti:sapphire systems above 50 TW, high-average-power diode-pumped solid-state lasers, large-aperture or multi-slab amplifiers, laser-plasma or laser-ion acceleration experiments, CAD, Python or LabVIEW, ML/AI-assisted laser control, and Class IV laser safety training.
How to apply
Prepare a CV including publications, a statement of research interests, and three letters of reference, at least two from outside The University of Texas at Austin. Submit the application through the Academic Jobs Online portal using the provided link. Ensure referees are arranged in time for the deadline.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Professors
Prof. at The University of Texas at Austin
United States
Research Interests
Fluid Mechanics
Nuclear Physics
Physics
Non-linear Optics
Computer Science
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.