As a graduate school focused on Air Force and Space Force relevant research and education, the Engineering Physics Department at Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) takes the pride of being at the forefront of DoD’s optics and optical sensing programs. Recent developments in quantum information science and quantum network powered by quantum optics at AFIT have opened a whole new world of opportunities.  

This opportunity is inviting applications from ambitious PhDs and researchers to pursue their DoD-focused research dream at AFIT on any of the following broad theoretical and experimental topics (but not limited to):

- Quantum optics, memories, sensors 

- Photonic qubits and informatics, distributed quantum network (free-space and fiber)

- Foundations of quantum mechanics

Representative References:

Keith A. Wyman, Noah S. Everett, Milo W. Hyde, Michael R. Grimaila, Robert N. Lanning, and Anil K. Patnaik, Characterization of Turbulent Atmosphere Simulator for Qubits (TASQ) Testbed, Applied Optics 64, E140-E151 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.555977

Joseph D. Fasone, Keith A. Wyman, and Anil K. Patnaik, Effect of atmospheric turbulence on classical ghost imaging with random light versus sequenced selective mode structures, Optical Engineering 65(8), 081821 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.65.8.081821

Billie DeLuca and Anil Patnaik, Fourier Transfer Function for Generic Light Pulse Storage and Retrieval using EIT, European Physical Journal – Special Topics 232, 3369 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-023-00985-4  

Quantum optics and information; Free-space and fiber quantum network; Quantum sensors

citizenship

Open to U.S. citizens

level

Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants

Additional Benefits

relocation

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

health insurance

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.