Research Associate or Research Scientist​/Engineer

Research Associate or Research Scientist/Engineer Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position includes working in a facility with controlled research restrictions; therefore, applicants who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for the position. The position involves working with, handling, and controlling sensitive information.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25407

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Classification Title Research Scientist and/or Research Engineers

Working Title

Working Title Research Associate or Research Scientist/Engineer

Brief Position Overview

Spectrum Lab is seeking several candidates at Research Associate and Research Scientist or Engineer levels to immediately contribute to current grant and contract research activities in the applied research areas of experimental Quantum Optics, Quantum Communications, Quantum Networks, Fiber optics, or Non-linear Optics. This individual would also participate in current and new projects in collaboration with other Spectrum Lab personnel, MSU Faculty, or local industry.

These individuals are expected to work productively both autonomously and collaboratively as part of a team as per project requirements.

Current applied research areas at Spectrum Lab include remote sensing (microwave and optical range, Doppler, polarimetry, and geo-location sensing), microwave photonics, optical signal processing, advanced imaging techniques, digital holography, quantum optics, quantum networking, electromagnetic wave propagation, opto-mechanical design, non-linear optics, and laser development. These individuals will be expected to work on various project tasks that are autonomous in nature, but which will integrate with or benefit the project as a whole.

These individuals are planned to be hired at Research Associate, Research Scientist or Research Engineer levels. The individuals title is negotiable, depending on the education, experience, and interests of the candidate and on whether expected contributions in the described duties will be more in the areas of engineering or science.

Position Number 4C0647

Division Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type Professional

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

Spectrum Lab is an interdisciplinary MSU research center established in 1999 and reports to the Vice-President of Research and Economic Development and Graduate Education ( VPREDGE ). It is dedicated to innovation in applied optics and photonics with a three-fold mission to:

• Develop and help commercialize Montana grown opto-electronic technologies.
• Transfer and develop technologies to Montana companies.
• Provide enhanced educational, research, and employment opportunities for Montana undergraduate and graduate students.

Spectrum Lab’s location close to the MSU
-Bozeman campus and in close proximity to spin-off companies and other local industry facilitates collaboration with MSU faculty and researchers and our local industry partners. The lab has several research grants and contracts in the areas of remote sensing, coherent imaging, and optical signal processing with average annual expenditures of roughly $1M.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct, report, and publish (when applicable) scientific/engineering research projects in applied optics, photonics and quantum technologies, including conducting independent research, conducting research as a team member, and leading a team of researchers.
• Supervise teams of undergraduate and graduate student researchers on research projects, including assigning tasks, providing technical assistance and advice, and following up on task completion and reporting.
• Depending on the positions title, individual experience and qualification, collaborate with research teams to develop new areas of applied optics, quantum optics and photonics research and actively contribute to obtaining funding through successful research proposals as a key contributor on the proposed work.
• Interact…