Lead X‑Ray Optics & Coatings Scientist

Purpose Of The Position

The Principal Research Scientist I, Step 4, will conduct advanced research and development in multilayer optical coatings, instrument hardware, and computational modeling to enable advancements in X-ray optic technology for astrophysical and high-energy applications. The scientist will collaborate closely with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) X-ray Astronomy Group under existing cooperative agreements to design, fabricate, and test reflective optical elements and to develop data-driven software tools that enhance instrument performance and coating precision.

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Department: College of Science

Work type: Staff Full-time Exempt

Location: Alabama

Categories: Research - Engineering

Purpose Of The Position

The Principal Research Scientist I, Step 4, will conduct advanced research and development in multilayer optical coatings, instrument hardware, and computational modeling to enable advancements in X-ray optic technology for astrophysical and high-energy applications. The scientist will collaborate closely with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) X-ray Astronomy Group under existing cooperative agreements to design, fabricate, and test reflective optical elements and to develop data-driven software tools that enhance instrument performance and coating precision.

Duties / Responsibilities

Optical Coating Design and Fabrication:

• Develop, optimize, and characterize single-layer and multilayer reflective coatings for hard X-ray mirrors and full-shell optics.
• Support thin-film deposition studies using magnetron sputtering systems and related techniques, including layer-thickness control, interface quality improvement, and environmental stability studies.

• Participate in the design, assembly, and validation of laboratory instrumentation and coating facilities used for optical deposition and metrology.
• Support the development of test hardware for characterizing mirror reflectivity, roughness, and uniformity.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on optical component integration into flight-like telescope assemblies.
• Participate in study teams for the development of new mission concepts and support relevant aspects of current flight projects.

• Build and maintain computational models for X-ray reflectivity, multilayer optimization, and performance prediction from the soft to hard X-ray bandpass, including lower gamma-ray energies.
• Implement and train physics-informed and machine-learning algorithms for parameter optimization, data interpretation, and control automation of coating processes.
• Develop MATLAB/Python-based simulation tools and GUIs for reflectivity analysis and data processing.
• Apply improvements and updates to motion control software as new hardware is integrated into laboratory systems.

• Conduct quantitative analysis of X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and synchrotron data to extract optical constants, interface roughness, and depth-dependent parameters.
• Document experimental findings, maintain research records, and contribute to technical reports, NASA deliverables, and peer-reviewed publications.

• Work with multidisciplinary teams across NASA, academia, and industry to advance technology readiness levels of X-ray instrument technologies (TRL).
• Contribute to proposal preparation for external funding and participate in internal research planning meetings.
• Pursue an independent astrophysics research program, time permitting, to maintain a strong knowledge base in the field.
• Contribute to the community through service and participation in peer reviews, scientific organizing committees, scientific conferences, and…