Principal Investigator (PI) - Digital Holographic Metrology | Wavefront Analysis Systems

Jan. 13, 2026

Please send your CV and a brief statement of research interests to Kirk@was.nyc.
 

Principal Investigator (PI) – Digital Holographic Metrology

Programs: NSF America’s Seed Fund (STTR Phase I) and USDA (STTR Phase I)
Location: Tucson, Arizona / Hybrid (Collaboration with Univ. of Arizona)

Wavefront Analysis Systems is a deep-tech startup at the cutting edge of computational imaging and encrypted communications, translating theoretical physics into industrial applications. We are currently advancing initiatives in Digital Holographic Thin Film Inspection (NSF Phase I) and next-generation Signal Encryption (USDA proposal). We operate in strategic partnership with the University of Arizona’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences, collaborating with Prof. Florian Willomitzer and Prof. Mohamed Elkabbash.

The Mission

We are seeking a technical leader to serve as the Principal Investigator for our NSF-initiative on Digital Holographic Thin Film Inspection. You will lead the development of a novel computational metrology system that fuses broad-spectrum optics with real-time AI acceleration, building a commercial prototype alongside world-leading experts in computational imaging and nanophotonics. We will also create the next-generation Signal Encryption system.

Core Responsibilities

  - System Architecture: Lead the design and validation of a broadband Digital Holography system (400 nm to 1550 nm, Vis-SWIR), solving for chromatic dispersion in thin-film measurements.
  - Computational Imaging: Implement and optimize iterative phase-retrieval algorithms (Gerchberg-Saxton derivatives) to reconstruct surface topology with sub-nanometer precision.
  - Edge-AI Integration: Deploy heavy computational workloads onto the Nvidia IGX Thor platform, ensuring real-time inference and defect detection at the edge.
  - Academic-Industrial Liaison: Serve as the primary technical bridge between Wavefront Analysis Systems and the collaborating labs at the University of Arizona.

Required Qualifications

  - Education: PhD or MS in Metrology, Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  - Technical Expertise:
      - Deep knowledge of Metrology and an openness to working with Phase Retrieval (Gerchberg-Saxton).
      - Understanding of Broadband/Hyperspectral systems (Vis-SWIR).
      - Software familiarity with Python/C++ and GPU acceleration (CUDA, PyTorch).
      - Willingness to work with Nvidia Edge AI ecosystems (IGX Thor, Jetson, or similar).

Why Join Us?

  - Lead a Federal Grant: Take ownership of an NSF STTR Phase I project with a clear path to Phase II commercialization.
  - Dual-Industry Impact: Join a team innovating in both Metrology and USDA-backed signal encryption.
  - World-Class Mentorship: Work directly with the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, the premier optical institute in the United States.

To Apply

Please send your CV and a brief statement of research interests to Kirk@was.nyc.