Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Systems Engineering and Photonics)

Apply now Job no: 10001203
Work type: Postdoctoral Faculty
Location: Fairfax, VA, Hybrid Eligible
Categories: Default

Department: College of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Post Doc 12 month

Job Category: Postdoctoral Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The C5I Center at Mason is the nation’s first and only civilian university-based center offering a comprehensive academic and research program in Military/National Security applications of information technology and cyber security. The Center’s mission is to perform advanced research in defense, intelligence, and security-related applications in IT and Cyber, bridging cultural gaps and aligning requirements between government, industry, and academia. It serves as a multi-disciplinary hub connecting faculty and researchers wanting to work on areas related to the Center’s mission and is widely recognized as a premier source of knowledge and innovation to military and civilian authorities.

About the Position:

The George Mason University Center of Excellence in C5I is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research that investigates Systems Engineering principles for design, test, and evaluation of Free Scape Optics Communication (FSOC) systems. As a R1 university, Mason has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Responsibilities:

The candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team developing novel techniques for integrating and implementing system of systems solutions with free space optical communication devices, primarily focused on Photonics and LASER-based communication. Specific responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

  • Research, development, and testing of FSOC and photonics-based communication solutions for integrating distributed systems;
  • Perform link budget, data rates, and bandwidth analysis for FSOC in simulation environments;
  • Research and develop communication protocols to support system of systems integration with distributed photonics devices;
  • Perform acquisition and beam tracking subject to various environmental considerations;
  • Conduct system level trade-off analysis with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., STK, SysML, MATLAB, etc.);
  • Mentor Ph.D., Master, and Undergraduate student researchers; and
  • Prepare and/or review manuscripts for publication in leading journals and peer-reviewed academic conferences.

Required Qualifications:

  • Candidates must have earned a doctorate in systems engineering, physics, electrical engineering, optical engineering, or a closely related engineering field to apply for this position;
  • Candidates must possess, have experience on, and be able to demonstrate strong skills in optical communication systems and system level design and engineering; 
  • Candidates must possess the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team; and
  • Must be a (1) U.S. citizen, or (2) lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), or (3) other protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or (4) Canadian citizen (pursuant to the principles underlying the Canada U.S. Free Trade Agreement).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Have publications in academic, peer-reviewed venues in the areas of System Engineering, Optical Communications, Photonics Engineering, and/or closely related fields;
  • Have experience in conducting system design and trade-off analysis using modeling and simulation tools such as STK, Model-based System Engineering, Systems Modeling Language, and MATLAB; and
  • Have experience in communication system design, communication protocols, acquisition, and beam tracking with FSOC, Photonics and/or RF communication systems.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Systems Engineering and Photonics) at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume. The review of applications will begin July 2, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

Posting Open Date: May 24, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: July 1, 2024

Open Until Filled?: Yes

Mason Engineering: The Future of Engineering is Here

About the College

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC enrolled a record high of 10,933 students in fall 2023. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 320 full-time faculty, 93 are tenured, 77 are tenure-track, 90 are term faculty, and 60 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $65 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $119 million in current and anticipated awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, Mason has committed to accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy—and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse a new 355,000 square foot building, will open to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.

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