Senior Optical Scientist

The Missions, Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc.

(ARA) is seeking a Senior Optical Scientist to join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists researching laser biological effects and laser eye protection solutions in a laboratory setting.

This position will support advanced experimental research investigating the interactions of laser and optical radiation with biological tissues, including potential effects on human physiology, vision, and tissue integrity.  The successful candidate will apply expertise in optical physics, photonics, laser systems, and experimental instrumentation to develop and execute sophisticated laboratory experiments.

Responsibilities will include designing and integrating custom optical systems, characterizing laser sources, developing optical measurement and diagnostic techniques, and applying advanced imaging technologies to investigate biological responses to optical radiation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in experimental optics and photonics, with experience in laser characterization, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, optical imaging, or biomedical optics.

The candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers, biologists, biomedical scientists, and government researchers to develop innovative experimental capabilities and generate high-quality scientific data supporting Department of Defense research objectives.  Most of the work will take place onsite in US Government-provided laboratory space in San Antonio, TX. 

This position is contingent upon ARA securing a contract, customer acceptance of the candidate’s resume, funding of the senior optical scientist position, security clearance, and successful background check.

The Air Force has announced that it expects to make an award in November of 2026.

Responsibilities


* Design, develop, and implement advanced optical experiments and laboratory instrumentation in support of laser bioeffects and human effects research.


* Develop experimental optical configurations for measuring laser propagation, beam characteristics, spectral content, energy distribution, and optical interactions with biological materials.


* Design and integrate custom optical instrumentation, including fiber-optic systems, fluorescence imaging systems, optical detectors, and specialized microscopy configurations.


* Apply principles of linear and nonlinear optics to understand and characterize optical radiation interactions with different materials and biological tissues.


* Develop and implement optical diagnostic techniques using spectroscopy, interferometry, fluorescence, imaging, and other advanced measurement approaches.


* Support the development of experimental systems for investigating optical radiation effects on biological samples, tissues, and cellular structures.


* Collaborate with biologists and biomedical researchers to integrate optical ins...