Instrumentation Physicist/Engineer

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Job Summary

Caltech scientists have embarked upon a major project to develop nanotechnology-based instrumentation that will enable deep profiling of the single-cell proteome and metabolome. This work is being pursued in close collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen, Germany). To advance this effort, a cohort of scientists/engineers have been hired to work at Caltech (Pasadena, CA, USA) in complementary areas spanning: proteomics and single-cell analysis, nanosystems development, high frequency/microwave engineering, optics and integrated photonics, software-defined instrumentation, and bioinformatics enabled by AI/machine learning.

This job posting for a instrumentation physicist/engineer is part of the effort to advance this project. The successful applicant will possess skills in the conception, planning, modeling, assembly, and characterization of precision measurement instrumentation. He/she/they will join world-class team creating transformational measurement instrumentation. Specifically, the applicant will assist the Principal Investigator in the design of measurement systems for ion optics, cryogenic nanosensor-array readout, mid-infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet molecular photodissociation. Among the individual's principal responsibilities will be hardware design via 3D CAD and numerical, essential job managing external machining contractors and, subsequently, assembly of ion optical systems, vacuum apparatus, optical systems for molecular excitation and analysis, cryogenic systems, mass spectrometry instrumentation, nanoflow liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry (nLC/MS), and software for instrument control and data analysis. Successful candidates for the Instrumentation Physicist/Engineer position should possess several years of hands-on knowledge in instrumentation engineering, computerized instrument control, and automated data acquisition.

Job Duties

The job tasks will comprise of all aspects of the construction of ultrasensitive measurement instrumentation within a highly-collaborative team effort. The physicist/engineer is expected to contribute to most, but not necessarily all, of the task areas listed below.

• Lead design of several new optical systems that interface with novel custom cryogenic and high vacuum instrumentation. Relevant spectral ranges include the intra-red, visible, and ultra-violet regimes.
• Work closely with PI to conceive and design the instrumentation, which will be based on free-space and fiber approaches, assist in specifying components required for these systems, create detailed engineering 3D drawings for them, drive the assembly, protocols for system control, and carry out full characterization and optimization of system performance.
• Design and simulation of instrumentation hardware by CAD software including SOLIDWORK-Development of signal and data acquisition systems for high speed, high throughput measurement and operation.

Other job requirements

• The physicist/engineer can independently, effectively, and expeditiously complete R&D (research and development) tasks under the supervision of senior science/engineering leadership.
• The physicist/engineer can work in a team of different expertise and harmoniously contribute to a large, complex project.
• The physicist/engineer can quickly provide clear documentation for design and analysis and is capable of providing detailed notes on the ongoing work.
• The physicist/engineer can generate detailed written instructions (standard operating protocols) for engineering operations in collaboration with senior science/engineering management.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's in physics, applied physics, chemistry, biochemistry, electrical, mechanical or related disciplines plus 3 years of related experience; or a Bachelor's in in physics, applied physics, chemistry, biochemistry, electrical, mechanical or related disciplines plus 5 years of related experience.
• Three years of technical experience in instrument development, with competence demonstrated by a successful track record of complex instrumentation achievements.
• Experience in designing complex optical systems providing state-of the art performance, using both free-space and fiber-based approaches.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, chemistry, biochemistry, electrical, mechanical or related disciplines.
• Significant expertise in SolidWorks, Python, Matlab, LabView, and Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency in finite-difference time-domain (FTDT) methods for simulation of optical systems; familiarity with Lumerical simulations.
• Significant experience in designing integrated photonics systems.
• Experience in cryogenic engineering and experimentation.
• Experience in construction and use of optical systems.
• Expertise in CAD, especially COMSOL, HFSS, and Altium.
• Expertise in computer aided data acquisition.
• Experience in EtherNet/IP and FPGA programming.

Required Documents

• Resume
• CV
• Cover Letter