Materials Researcher

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 5:00 PM EST, 2 September 2026.

The AFRL Foundational Technology Directorate seeks to hire a motivated and experienced mid-level General Engineer (0801), Materials Engineer (0806), Physicist (1310), or Chemist (1320), or related Job Series specializing in Directed Energy source materials, non-linear optics, and advanced photophysical characterization to serve as a researcher in the Photonic Materials Branch (REEXPE) of the Photonic, Electronic & Soft Materials Division (REE) of the Foundational Technology Directorate (RE) in Air Force Research Laboratory.

This position will be filled at the DR-02 level and is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

• Material Innovation & Characterization:
  Synthesizes, fabricates, and compositionally/spectroscopically characterizes novel organic and inorganic non-linear optical materials as next-generation solutions for electromagnetic spectrum survivability applications.
• Advanced Metrology Development:
  Designs, establishes, and maintains critical optical metrology capabilities (including modulation transfer, bidirectional scattering distribution functions, and angle-resolved scattering) to improve material manufacturability and technological readiness.
• Laboratory Operations & Safety Management:
  Oversees day‑to‑day workflow, instrument upkeep, and rigorous safety protocols for advanced laser user facilities, including femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed source lasers.
• Technology Transfer & Contract Contribution:
  Works closely with industrial partners to transfer laboratory-scale technical knowledge to commercial scale, supporting active Phase II SBIR projects and evaluating development subcontracts to risk-reduce new material solutions.
• Strategic
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Interfaces and collaborates regularly with external academic, industry, and international defense partners to test and evaluate spectroscopic properties across mission-relevant wavebands.
• Mentorship & STEM Development:
  Directs, instructs, and mentors undergraduate research interns to cultivate future STEM talent and communicate the operational mission of AFRL.
• Technical Writing & Reporting:
  Contributes to core technical sections of large-scale contract proposals, authors high-impact peer-reviewed publications, and prepares/delivers high-level technical briefings to senior management and external advisory boards.

• US Citizenship.
• Must have a current Secret security clearance and be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• Must have Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management or obtain within 60 months of assignment.
• Must meet, or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Selectee is required to submit annual Confidential Financial Disclosure (OGE Form 450).
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• This position may be filled as a 5-year Flexible Length Term appointment (new government hires, current government term employees, etc.) with the option to later extend or convert to a permanent appointment.

• Nonlinear Optics & Photophysics Expertise:
  Demonstrated mastery in the synthesis, fabrication, and photophysical characterization of organic/inorganic compounds, hybrid sol-gel glasses, and rare-earth-doped microcrystals for optical tracking and sensor protection.
• Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques:
  Thorough technical proficiency in absorption and luminescence spectroscopy, as well as time-resolved methods including nanosecond and ultrafast/femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy.
• Laser Systems Operations:
  Hands-on experience operating, troubleshooting, and configuring pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) laser systems, with specific expertise…