2026 PhD Graduate - Postdoctoral Chemical Instrumentation

Are you passionate about hardware design?

Do you want to tackle tough problems, make real-world impact, and drive the future?

If you are graduating with a Ph.D. degree in physics, physical chemistry or optics, and have a strong record building devices for scientific measurements, we would love to have you join our team!

We are seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow to contribute to tasks or projects that require a multi-disciplinary approach. At APL, you will join a hardworking and dedicated team of scientists and engineers to develop novel sensors and chemistry-based analytical tools for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the Intelligence Community.

We strive to foster an environment of innovation and idea-generation, so that varied technical perspectives are able to provide new and exciting avenues for break through research solutions. As a member of our team, you will work with physicists, engineers, chemists, and biologists to tackle our nation's most important problems.

As a member of our team, you will....

• Design and build scientific instrumentation to support national defense and to interdict weapons of mass destruction. Define requirements and work with teams to prototype electronics and software.
• Analyze and interpret data, and develop improved approaches.
• Develop new methods for detecting threat-related chemicals.
• Use your background in the physical sciences to develop and propose innovative technical solutions to our Nation's most important problems.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Ph.D.in physics, physical chemistry, optics, or a related technical field, with a strong academic record, and significant experience developing scientific instruments.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with other scientists and connect with the broader scientific community through publications, patents, and presentations.
• Are able to travel occasionally to attend meetings with our government partners and operational stakeholders.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimal requirements if you...

• Are comfortable designing electronics, using CAD programs, and working with vacuum technology
• Have expertise in statistical design of experiments.
• Have experience in technical mentoring.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.