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Rockefeller University has filed 2 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 68 workers, most recently April 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings

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About the job

Organization Overview

Neurobiological discoveries have been fueled in recent years by rapid development of optical imaging tools. Over the last decade the Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics has developed a wide portfolio of advanced optical neurotechnologies that have enabled large-scale optical interrogation of neuronal population activity at high spatiotemporal resolution across model systems. These capabilities have opened up new opportunities for understanding the fundamental principles of how brain-wide neurocomputation and animal behavior emerges from dynamic interaction of vast and highly distributed neuronal populations in the mammalian brain. Developing and applying new neurotechnologies towards these other neuroscience questions represents a major focus of the lab in the coming years. These efforts have the potential to transform our understanding of how cognitive functions emerge from the connectivity and of neuroactivity as well as provide new avenues for the development of new class of biologically inspired AI algorithms and architectures. Overview

Are you interested bringing in your expertise in advanced optics to design and build new optical neurotechnologies and microscopy systems that will help the understanding of the brain? This is an exciting long-term opportunity for a creative highly motivated and ambitious candidate interested in working at the interface of optical systems engineering and neuroscience. The successful candidate will critically contribute to mission of the Laboratory for Neurotechnology and Biophysics the Rockefeller University by designing, building, and applying new types of multi-photon and other microscopy systems for recording neuroactivity at unprecedented scale, speed and resolution within a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative academic environment that includes joint projects with academic and industrial partners. The ideal candidate must be both conceptually and technically strong, self-driven and highly organized, exhibit a strong work ethics and be able to own and spearhead multiple projects.

The Optical Systems Engineer will play a pivotal role in conceptualization, design, construction, refinement, maintenance, and application of new custom optical neuroimaging technologies for various ongoing and new neurobiological projects that the lab is collaboratively perusing with internal and external partners which include neuroscientist with various interests and industrial partners. This position requires in depth theoretical and hands-on expertise with optics and optical systems design and instrumentation development. Additional experience in context of multi-photon in vivo microscopy including experience working with rodents, animal behavior and/or computational data processing would be desirable but not required. This role presents an ideal opportunity for working at the forefront of optical neurotechnology development within a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The role provides multi-year growth potential with the successful candidate having the opportunity to directly own and lead major long-term research thrust of the lab on neurotechnology development while offering additional growth opportunities into neurobiological or computational neuroscience directions, depending on candidates’ backgrounds and interests.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the conceptualization and design of new multi-photon high-speed large-scale in vivo multi-photon optical neurotechnologies and drive their development, characterization, and applications together with neurobiologists

Redesign and optimization of existing optical platforms and co-development of pre-commercial prototypes in close coordination with industrial partners

Adaptation or modification of existing computational data processing and analysis pipelines

Documentation, development of SOPs or drafting manuscripts for scientific publications and training of more junior scientists

Support of collaborative project and ongoing technology dissemination efforts

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or related field

A minimum of 2 years of relevant hands-on work experience in a scientific or industrial research environment involving microscopy, ultrafast optics, non-linear optics or opto-electronic hardware

Self-driven, highly result oriented, excellent communication and time management skills, the ability to effectively work in a team environment involving academics and industry and motivated by enabling engineering innovations with lasting practical impact

Basic programming skills (e.g., Matlab, Python, LabView, SolidWorks, CAD)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A track record as the lead experimental scientist or engineer for the construction of a complex optical, electro-optical or optomechanical system or instrument

Experience in at least one, ideally multiple of these areas is highly desired: optical modeling and design software (e.g., ZEMAX)

ultra-fast laser systems

complex free-space optical systems or fiber optics

mechanical design and fabrication

RF electronics and electronics design

optomechanical hardware control (LabView, FPGA programing)

experience with large-scale data processing and cluster computing

The Rockefeller University is an equal opportunity employer – veterans/individuals with disabilities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal law, including but not limited to disability and protected veteran status.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on various factors, including but not limited to organizational budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The hiring range provided represents The Rockefeller University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Compensation Range: Min

USD $75,000.00/Yr. Compensation Range: Max

USD $95,000.00/Yr.