Assistant Scientist, Associate Scientist, or Scientist in Experimental Optics, College of Optics and Photonics

The Opportunity

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is looking for a 12-month, non-tenure earning assistant scientist, associate scientist, or scientist, to conduct research in the College of Optics and Photonics. This position is located at the UCF main campus with an anticipated start date in Spring 2027. UCF is undergoing rapid growth in the size of external research funding, academic stature, and student and faculty groups.

UCF supports and benefits from economic growth in Central Florida, which is emerging as a major hub for technology development. The University is located in the metropolitan Orlando area, which offers a vibrant lifestyle and a variety of cultural and recreational activities.

CREOL (Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers) is one of the world’s foremost institutions for research and education in optical and photonic science and engineering. The College offers MS and PhD degrees in optics and photonics, and a BS degree in photonic science and engineering.

The faculty engages in fundamental and applied research and education in lasers, optical fibers, semiconductor and integrated photonic devices, nonlinear and quantum optics, imaging, sensing, and displays. The college is home to the CREOL, Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE), and Townes Laser Institute (TLI), and the Institute for the Frontier of Attosecond Science and Technology (iFAST).

In addition, the College of Medicine, which includes the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, provides rich opportunities for collaboration.

The ideal candidate will work with the Semiconductor Diode Laser Group to participate in research in experimental optics. Our research focuses on large, high-power semiconductor diode laser arrays, with particular emphasis on external-cavity coupling, phase locking, coherent beam combining, and the collective dynamics of coupled laser systems.

Current projects explore the emergence and control of synchronization, spatial and temporal coherence, and the other collective states in large arrays of coupled semiconductor lasers. The research combines advanced optical experiments with theoretical and computational modeling of nonlinear laser dynamics.

We are seeking a highly motivated researchers with strong experimental expertise in free-space optics, beam propagation, and semiconductor laser systems. The successful candidate will contribute to the development, alignment, characterization, and optimization of advanced optical and photonic experimental platforms involving semiconductor diode lasers and laser arrays.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Optics/Photonics, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Strong hands-on experience with free-space optical systems, including optical alignment, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Solid understanding of Gaussian beam propagation, diffraction, focusing, imaging, and optical beam characterization.
• Experience working with semiconductor lasers, laser sources, and associated optical components.
• Demonstrated ability to independently align, characterize, and optimize complex free-space optical steps involving lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, spatial filters, detectors, and related instrumentation.
• Experience with optical diagnostics, experimental data acquisition, and analysis is desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the dynamics and modeling of semiconductor diode lasers and laser arrays.
• Knowledge of nonlinear dynamics, synchronization, or nonlinear systems.

Additional Application Materials Required

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.
• Brief statement of research interests and relevant experimental experience.

Note

• Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
• The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Special Instructions to the Applicants

This position is restricted to U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents due to the nature of the research funding. All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. H-1B visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

• This is a Contract & Grants (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.
• The position is anticipated for at least two years, with continued appointment and possible extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted without an end date may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country.

You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference.

Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Benefits

Working at Ucf has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.
• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

• Department
• College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL)
• Work Schedule
• Varies
• Type of Appointment
• Regular
• Expected Salary
• Negotiable

Additional information

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.