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Postdoctoral Optics Photonics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Experience with optical testing and characterization of photonic devices, including techniques such ... Postdoctoral experience in integrated photonics or quantum technologies * Familiarity with advanced ...

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Postdoctoral Optics Photonics information

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$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do postdoctoral optics photonics jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral optics photonics in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do NASA postdoc get paid?

NASA postdoctoral researchers in optics and photonics typically earn between $70,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience and location. These positions often include benefits such as health insurance and research funding, with opportunities for professional development in advanced optical and photonics technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Postdoctoral Optics Photonics researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Optics Photonics researcher, you need a Ph.D. in physics, optics, or a related field, with strong expertise in experimental and theoretical photonics. Familiarity with simulation software (e.g., COMSOL, Zemax), laboratory instrumentation, and advanced optical measurement techniques is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for advancing research, publishing results, and contributing to multidisciplinary teams in a rapidly evolving scientific field.

What jobs can you get with a photonics degree?

A photonics degree can lead to jobs such as optical engineer, research scientist, photonics technician, laser systems engineer, and optical communications specialist. These roles often require knowledge of optics, lasers, and photonic devices, and may involve working in research labs, manufacturing, or telecommunications environments.

Does NASA hire optical engineers?

Yes, NASA hires optical engineers and postdoctoral researchers with expertise in optics and photonics for projects related to space telescopes, laser systems, and imaging instruments. These roles often require advanced degrees, knowledge of optical design software, and experience with precision instrumentation in a research or aerospace environment.

What are Postdoctoral Optics Photonics positions?

Postdoctoral Optics Photonics positions are research-focused roles typically held by individuals who have recently earned their Ph.D. in physics, optical engineering, or related fields. These positions involve conducting advanced research in optics and photonics, including areas like laser technology, imaging, optical communications, and quantum optics. Postdoctoral researchers work in academic, government, or industrial labs, collaborating with principal investigators and other scientists to advance knowledge and technology in the field. Their work often results in publications, patents, and contributions to cutting-edge innovations.

What types of collaborative projects can a Postdoctoral Optics Photonics researcher expect to be involved in?

As a Postdoctoral Optics Photonics researcher, you will often collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with physicists, engineers, and material scientists. These collaborations might include developing advanced imaging systems, working on laser applications, or designing optical sensors. You can expect to participate in regular team meetings, contribute to shared experimental setups, and co-author publications or grant proposals. Such collaborations not only broaden your technical expertise but also help you build a strong professional network, which is valuable for future career advancement.

Is photonics the future of AI?

Postdoctoral researchers in optics and photonics are exploring how photonic technologies can enhance AI by enabling faster data processing and lower energy consumption. Photonics offers potential for developing optical neural networks and high-speed data transmission, which could significantly impact AI hardware and algorithms. However, integration into mainstream AI systems is still in development and requires specialized skills in both fields.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Optics Photonics vs Postdoctoral Physics?

AspectPostdoctoral Optics PhotonicsPostdoctoral Physics
Required CredentialsPh.D. in Optics, Photonics, or related fieldPh.D. in Physics or related discipline
Work EnvironmentResearch labs focused on optics and photonics technologiesVaried, including research labs, academia, and industry
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, photonics companies, research institutesUniversities, research institutions, industry

Postdoctoral Optics Photonics and Postdoctoral Physics roles often require similar advanced degrees and research experience. However, Postdoctoral Optics Photonics focuses specifically on optical and photonic technologies, while Postdoctoral Physics covers a broader range of physics topics. Both roles are research-intensive and commonly found in academic and industry settings, but the specialization in optics and photonics makes Postdoctoral Optics Photonics more targeted toward optical applications and innovations.

More about Postdoctoral Optics Photonics jobs
What cities are hiring for Postdoctoral Optics Photonics jobs? Cities with the most Postdoctoral Optics Photonics job openings:
What states have the most Postdoctoral Optics Photonics jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral Optics Photonics jobs include:
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Optics Photonics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.
HPE Labs - Postdoctoral Research Scientist

HPE Labs - Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Milpitas, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Hewlett Packard Enterprise rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 142 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

HPE Labs - Postdoctoral Research ScientistThis role has been designed as ''Onsite' with an expectation that you will primarily work from an HPE office.

Who We Are:

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today's complex world.Our culture thrives onfinding new and better ways to accelerate what's next.We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs.We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you.Open up opportunities with HPE.

Job Description:

The Large-Scale Integrated Photonics Lab (LSIP) at HPE Labs is currently seeking a highly qualified, self-motivated and post-doc to accelerate research towards new applications, core methodologies and technologies.

HPE Labs is an international research organization with its headquarters and largest facility located in Milpitas, California. As the central research organization for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), HPE Labs' purpose is to deliver breakthrough technologies and technology advancements that provide a competitive advantage for the company, by investing in fundamental science and technology in areas of interest to HPE and getting the resulting technologies ready for adoption into new and existing markets.

LSIP is a world-renowned research team producing outstanding research in nanophotonics and quantum optics, with recent publications in Nature, Nature Photonics, Physical Review Letters, Optics Letters, and Optics Express. Our program is well-funded internally and has an impressive record of attracting significant government funding. Our team members have enjoyed exceptional success in launching scientific and engineering careers in both industrial and academic settings. In addition, our regular research positions offer competitive salaries and benefits for qualified candidates.

We expect all our researchers (including interns and post-docs) to provide thought leadership and technical influence both internally and externally to HPE, as well as take innovative ideas and make them real - contributing along the full range from initial novel ideas to design, development, implementation, evaluation, and technology transfer. The ideal candidate can thrive in an applied research environment, balancing significant technical and scientific contributions with the ability to bring such contributions to practice through innovative solutions that address the needs of our customers and partners. We expect the successful candidate to collaborate with HPE Labs research teams as well as with external partners, and to work in alignment with HPE's broader innovation community.

Role and Responsibilities
  • Conduct advanced research on optical accelerators using stateoftheart architectural simulation frameworks, including componentlevel, systemlevel, and multitile modeling.

  • Develop, refine, and rigorously validate endtoend simulation models for emerging optical accelerator architectures.

  • Analyze, benchmark, and characterize machine learning workloads on these architectures, identifying performance bottlenecks, scalability limits, energyefficiency tradeoffs, and opportunities for architectural innovation.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams working in integrated photonics and emerging accelerators.

  • Produce highquality research outputs, including peerreviewed publications, technical reports, and conference presentations for leading venues.

Qualifications and Education Requirements
  • Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

  • Demonstrated expertise in architectural simulation frameworks, specifically hands-on experience with at least one major simulator (e.g., SST, gem5).

  • Proven research experience in modeling and evaluating non-conventional accelerators.

  • Strong publication record in relevant venues: ISCA, MLSys, CGO, ASPLOS, IEEE/ACM Micro, HPCA, DAC, ICCAD, DATE, IEEE TC, IEEE TCAD, ACM TACO, IEEE Micro, Nature Electronics, NPJ Unconventional Computing.

  • Proficiency in Python and C/C++.

  • Experience using generative AI tools (e.g., Claude) within development environments such as VSCode.

Preferred Skills
  • Background in integrated photonics, optical computing, or optical interconnects.

  • Familiarity with machine learning algorithms, especially their mapping and performance characteristics on nonconventional accelerator architectures.

  • Knowledge of performance modeling, workload characterization, and accelerator benchmarking.

  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research teams.

  • Strong communication skills for presenting complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

What We Can Offer You:

Health & Wellbeing

We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

Personal & Professional Development

We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have - whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.

Unconditional Inclusion

We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.

Let's Stay Connected:

Follow @HPECareers on Instagram to see the latest on people, culture and tech at HPE.

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Job:

Administration

Job Level:

N/A"The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level.
- United States of America: Annual Salary USD 99,320 - 149,760 in California
The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered."

Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html

HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Our goal is to be one global team that is representative of our customers, in an inclusive environment where we can continue to innovate and grow together. Please click here: Equal Employment Opportunity.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is EEO Protected Veteran/ Individual with Disabilities.

HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring employers to consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories.

Recruitment Fraud Alert

We have become aware of an increase in fraudulent recruitment activities in which individuals impersonate our company or authorized recruitment agencies to offer fake employment opportunities. These scams may occur through false websites, emails, social media, or chat-based applications and often aim to obtain personal information or money. Please note that Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and its authorized recruitment agencies/vendors will never charge a candidate a registration fee, hiring fee, or any other fee in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. We also never request personal information such as back account details, Social Security numbers, or national IDs via social media or chat applications.

All legitimate job opportunities will come through official company channels, and candidates are responsible for verifying the credentials of any third party claiming to represent the company. Any reliance on fraudulent communication is at the individual's own risk, and HPE disclaims legal liability for any resulting damages. If you suspect recruitment fraud, do not share personal information or make any payments and report the incident to your local authorities immediately.


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