2025 PhD Residency - Optics, Early Stage Project

2 0 2 5 P h D R e s i d e n c y - O p t i c s , E a r l y S t a g e P r o j e c t

Internship Mountain View, CA

How you will make 10x impact:

• Design, build, and optimize novel optical systems and experimental setups for high-resolution detection and characterization of modifications in glass
• Develop and apply advanced optical microscopy techniques (e.g., confocal microscopy, interferometry, darkfield/brightfield imaging, scattering-based methods) to identify and analyze modifications
• Acquire, process, and analyze complex optical data to accurately identify, quantify, and classify modifications based on their optical signatures (size, shape, type, location)
• Develop and implement sophisticated image processing algorithms and data analysis methodologies for automated modification detection and classification
• Collaborate closely with a diverse team of physicists, engineers, materials scientists, and chemists to understand defect origins, impacts, and mitigation strategies
• Document experimental procedures, findings, and analytical results rigorously, and present technical information clearly to both internal and external audiences

This project aims to push the limits of science and modeling as we know them and to prove how ML can radically accelerate our understanding of the world

• Location: X's headquarters in Mountain View, CA
• Start Date(s): Year-round rolling basis
• Duration: a flexible 4 mo. to 1 year program based on project team needs and your availability

Throughout your AI Residency you can expect:

• To be embedded into one of our confidential or public X projects
• To get paid competitively and receive benefits
• To be a part of a lively community of AI and ML Residents
• To attend tech-talks with AI leaders from across X

What you should have:

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated expertise in the fundamental principles of Physical Optics, including diffraction, interference, polarization, and scattering phenomena
• Strong theoretical foundation and practical experience in Optical Microscopy, with hands-on experience in techniques such as brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, confocal microscopy, and/or interferometric techniques
• Understanding of Laser Physics, including laser sources, beam shaping, and potentially nonlinear optics
• Proficiency in Image Processing and Analysis, including algorithm development for feature extraction, modification identification, and quantification
• Proven experimental skills, including the ability to design, build, align, calibrate, and troubleshoot complex optical systems independently
• Proficiency in software tools for optical simulation (e.g., Zemax, COMSOL) and data analysis/programming (e.g., Python)
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex technical concepts and findings

It'd be great if you also had these:

• Prior experience in optical defect detection, metrology, or quality control in semiconductor or glass manufacturing environments
• Experience with relevant Spectroscopy techniques (e.g., Raman, Brillouin, absorption/transmission) for materials characterization is a plus
• Experience working with glass materials or other optical media

Additional public information :

https://www.wired.com/video/watch/astro-teller-captain-of-moonshots-at-x-speaks-at-wired25

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-10-10/alphabet-x-s-astro-teller-on-bloomberg-studio-1-0-video

The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $118,000 - $145,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.

PLEASE NOTE:

This role requires exposure to technologies subject to heightened controls under US export laws. Due to our immediate need to fill this role and the lengthy process required to obtain export licenses, we will not be able to move forward with anyone requiring a license for such technologies . This applies to individuals ineligible for license exception "TSR" (commonly described as "controlled-country nationals") under the US Commerce Department's Export Administration Regulations . As of July 2018, a controlled country national is anyone who is a national of one of the following countries ( excluding US green card holders and US citizens with dual citizenship ): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cuba, the People's Republic of China, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Macau, Moldova, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam . Please review up-to-date information about the Commerce Department's export regulations, including the current list of countries, here .

An Equal Opportunity Workplace

At X, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products and our community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at x-accommodation-request@x.team .