Unleash Your Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institution, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you become an integral part of our mission to become a university for the future. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck.

The Opportunity

The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure earning assistant research scientist in the area of fiber optics research. Through the Space and Planetary Instrumentation, Commercialization, and Exploration (SPICE) initiative, CREOL and UCF are expanding their educational and research efforts in space-related technologies and instrumentation. The development of advanced optical fibers, fiber lasers and fiber optic devices provides critical advances in spaceflight instrumentation, with applications ranging from space exploration to remote sensing to communications.

In synergy with CREOL faculty, this position supports fiber optics research and works on planning, developing, and executing advanced research projects. The assistant research scientist carries the responsibility for implementing advanced optical fiber manufacturing processes as well as managing and maintaining laboratories and test facilities related to fiber optics research, with particular emphasis on space photonics.

The selected candidate will engage in proposal development in relevant fiber optics technologies enabling cutting-edge research through the design and fabrication of specialty optical fibers, including large mode area fibers doped with rare earth materials, multicore fibers, and hollow-core fibers, to mention a few. The incumbent will also perform rigorous tests and simulations, ensure that the produced fibers and fiber devices meet specifications and performance parameters, and participate in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is one of the world’s foremost institutions for research and education in optical and photonic science and engineering. The college offers Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Optics and Photonics, and a B.S. degree in Photonic Science and Engineering. The faculty engage in fundamental and applied research and education in lasers, optical fibers, semiconductor and integrated photonic devices, nonlinear and quantum optics, and imaging, sensing, and displays. The college is now home to the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE), the 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.  For more information visit www.creol.ucf.edu .

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is classified as a Very High Research Activity (R1) university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country. The university offers more than 220-degree programs.  UCF is committed to diversity and was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2019.  For the fifth consecutive year, UCF has been recognized among the nation’s most innovative universities according to U.S. News & World Report while Kiplinger’s and The Princeton Review have ranked UCF as one of the nation’s best values for a college education. For more information, visit https://www.ucf.edu .

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. from an accredited institution in optics or a closely related discipline and at least 10 years of demonstrated experience in fiber optics fabrication and testing in a research environment as well as design, operation, and maintenance of fiber draw systems. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of fiber optics, fiber optic components, and fiber laser technology. Experience in the design, fabrication and testing of:

• high performance fiber components for space instrumentation such as photonic lanterns and fiber combiners

• hollow core fibers with ultra-low losses

• rare-earth doped large mode area fibers with low index polymer coatings and air-clad structures for kW-class fiber lasers and amplifiers

• multicore fibers and multicore fiber components

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/ .  In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload a curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

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.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to Professor Stephen Eikenberry, at Stephen.Eikenberry@ucf.edu .

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled ’ 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 Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando area attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.

And more…For more benefits information, go to ‘Prospective Employees’ on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/ )

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger , and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 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 higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at  http//www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.

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

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.