Job Openings

Research Position Announcement
Adaptive Optics Center of Excellence for National Security
Spacecraft Research and Design Center
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA
https://nps.edu/web/srdc
https://nps.edu/web/aocoe

Introduction
The Naval Postgraduate School is an academic institution whose emphasis is on study and research programs relevant to the Navy's interests, as well as to the interests of other arms of the Department of Defense. NPS has a Spacecraft Research and Design Center with emphasis on spacecraft dynamics and attitude control. In 2011, the Adaptive Optics Center of Excellence for National Security was established with a sponsorship from the National Reconnaissance Office, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Naval Postgraduate School. The emphasis of the center is on the large segmented mirror imaging satellite and high energy laser beam control. The research is multidisciplinary, covering structures, controls, and optics. The center has several unique testbeds including three-meter segmented space telescope, three-axis spacecraft simulator with CMGs, and several adaptive optics and beam control testbeds.

Employment Opportunities
The centers are seeking highly qualified research applicants. Research positions may be offered as Research Professor, Postdoctoral Associate, Research Associate, and Research Engineer. Experience in both analytical and experimental research is highly desirable.

Qualifications
It is highly desirable to have strong multidisciplinary background including structures, controls, and adaptive optics. A Ph.D. or highly qualified M.S. degree in the related area is required. Recent Ph.D.’s having significant hands-on experience are also encouraged to apply. Most positions will require US citizenship. However, non-US citizen applications will also be considered under the NRC research associate program at NPS.  

Contact Information
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, detailed resume, and references to:

Brij Agrawal
Distinguished Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA 93943
agrawal@nps.edu

Naval Postgraduate School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

 

Research Associate (RAC2011A)
SRDC/AOCOE is inviting applications to fill a research associate position.  A research associate works under the direction of a faculty member to support the reimbursable research activities at SRDC/AOCOE.  We are particularly interested in seeking a person who can provide project management support. Main job tasks and responsibilities will include:

  • Support planning and implementation of research projects
  • Manage project budget and resource allocation
  • Track project milestone and deliverables using appropriate tools
  • Constantly monitor and report on progress of the projects in the center
  • Provide support for government acquisitions related to the projects
  • Quality assurance

Qualifications / Requirements
Applicants should have an experience in project management, financial management, or institute support.  Strong communication skills are required.  US citizenship is required for the application.  Interested applicants should send a detailed resume to: Distinguished Professor Brij N. Agrawal, Director SRDC, e-mail: agrawal@nps.edu

Ph.D. Opportunities (PHD2011A)
SRDC/AOCOE at the Naval Postgraduate School invites a highly motivated graduate student to join the team and undertake a research project for Ph.D. programs at the Naval Postgraduate School.  The student will be fully funded for the duration of their Ph.D. program.  The areas of interests are adaptive optics, spacecraft attitude dynamics and control. SRDC has active research programs in imaging satellite, laser communications, and high energy lasers.  SRDC has a strong program of sponsored research and has developed state-of-the-art testbeds.

Qualifications / Requirements
Applicants should have a M.S. degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline such engineering, or physical sciences.  A background in optics or controls is also desirable.  US citizenship is required for the application.
Interested applicants should send a detailed resume to: Distinguished Professor Brij N. Agrawal, Director SRDC, e-mail: agrawal@nps.edu

Engineer and Research Faculty in Optical Engineering (ENG2011A)
SRDC/AOCOE at the Naval Postgraduate School invites applications for an Engineer and Research Faculty positions in the areas of optical engineering.  SRDC has active research programs in imaging satellite, laser communications, and high energy lasers.  Research areas that will receive special consideration include optical beam pointing, jitter control, and wavefront correction by using adaptive optics.  SRDC has a strong program of sponsored research and has developed state-of-the-art testbeds.

Qualifications / Requirements
For the Research Faculty position, an earned Ph.D. or M.S. with significant experience in Physics or a related Engineering field is required.  
For the Engineer position, an earned MS or BS in Physics or a related Engineering field is required.
US citizenship is desired but not required for these positions.
Interested applicants should send a detailed resume to: Distinguished Professor Brij N. Agrawal, Director SRDC, e-mail: agrawal@nps.edu

Theses Infomation

Thesis Opportunities


The Spacecraft Research and Design Center (SRDC), analytical and experimental research is performed to enhance future DoD systems such as Laser Communications, Advanced Electro-Optical Imaging, and High Energy Lasers (HEL). These systems require advancement in acquisition, tracking and pointing technologies, optical beam jitter control, adaptive optics, beam control for high energy lasers, flexible spacecraft and structure control, and space system design.

SRDC offers opportunities for hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology in various research areas related to future DoD missions. Technologies developed under various research programs can be directly applicable to future national security space, air and maritime systems. Working with SRDC will also provide opportunities to develop connections with program sponsors you could work for in the future. Faculty from ECE, MAE, Physics and Space Ops support their student’s work at SRDC and additional support is also available from three full-time research faculty, two engineers, and one research assistant.

Following is the list of current research programs at the SRDC:

Large Aperture Lightweight Space Based Optics
Development of adaptive optics control and sensors

On-Orbit System Identification and Slew Maneuvering
Development of slew maneuver control for flexible spacecraft

Adaptive Pointing Control for Spacecraft
Adaptive control to account for uncertainty in spacecraft inertia and structural natural frequencies

Advanced Inertial Reference Unit (aIRU)
Upgrade jitter control algorithms

Beam Control of Tactical HEL
System architecture, beam control, optics, control, and structures optimization

Maritime Beam Control for HEL
Tracking maritime targets in a high clutter ocean environment (solar glint, high sea states, white caps, intermittent contact), fine pointing of a laser beam in a highly dynamic maritime environment with atmospheric turbulence, aimpoint maintenance on a highly maneuvering target

Satellite Operations: OS/COMET and FLTSATCOM
Provides actual spaceflight and ground control hardware for the development and use of custom software, and experimental work involving hardware-in-the-loop, partial-simulation, or full-simulation satellite operation exercises

Space Based Persistence Surveillance Systems, Operationally Responsive Space Systems

If interested in working at SRDC for your thesis, please contact us.