Location: Pasadena, CA
Cap-Exempt H-1B Position — No lottery required
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community. #### **Job Summary** The Darkwah-Oppong Lab in the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy seeks a Postbaccalaureate Research Scholar to join an experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics laboratory focused on quantum science with neutral atoms. The group builds and operates optical tweezer arrays of individually trapped, laser-cooled neutral atoms to study quantum simulation, quantum metrology, and many-body physics. The successful candidate will contribute to the construction, operation, and improvement of an ultra-high-vacuum cold-atom apparatus, including laser and optical systems, high-resolution imaging, and the control and data-acquisition software used to prepare, manipulate, and measure atomic quantum states. This is a hands-on, full-cycle research role intended to prepare the candidate for a PhD program in experimental quantum physics. The Research Scholar will work closely with the faculty sponsor, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students, taking ownership of well-defined subprojects spanning hardware (lasers, optics, electronics, vacuum) and software (experimental control, simulation, and data analysis). The position offers broad training in the experimental and computational methods underlying modern quantum technology. #### **Essential Job Duties** - Design, assemble, align, and maintain optical and laser systems (e.g., laser cooling/trapping beams, optical tweezers generated with acousto-optic deflectors/spatial light modulators, and high-resolution imaging optics). - Operate and improve an ultra-high-vacuum neutral-atom apparatus, including assembly and troubleshooting of vacuum, optical, electronic,