Millimeter Wave R&D Scientist | Battelle

Battelle’s Aviation Security Division provides research development test and evaluation services to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL).  This project is for the spiral development of a material identification using active millimeter wave. (MMW) systems, with open architecture and integration. The final deliverable shall include high speed processing and software suitable for airport demonstrations. This performance work statement continues the previous proof of concept to the software and hardware necessary to support an airport demonstration. The new technology is part of a patent (Method for Identifying Materials Using Dielectric Properties through Active Millimeter Wave Illumination, Patent: 8,946,641 B2, February 3, 2015), which is held by DHS. The method described uses a broad frequency spread to evaluate the signal return, calculate the frequency response, calculate the real and imaginary dielectric constant, and compare that result to a database of known values to identify the explosive uniquely.

• Support integration of the previously developed tools and software to provide free space calibration of the raw frequency data provided by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) AIT.
• Support development of integrated software that shall utilize a graphical user interface to allow a user to center a cursor over an area of interest on the three-dimensional image to select for Identification of Explosives (IDX) analysis.
• Support development of an Application Programming Interface that can receive coordinates for an area of interest on the three-dimensional image to select for IDX analysis.
• Adapt the previously developed IDX software to automatically extract the real and imaginary permittivity and possibly thickness from a low loss (military or HME powder) anomaly.
• Adapt the previously developed IDX software to automatically extract the real and imaginary permittivity from a high loss (commercial or liquid explosive) anomaly.
• Adapt the previously developed IDX software to automatically identify a cellphone, leather wallet, boarding pass, or fold of skin that an AIT ATR would identify as an anomaly.
• Support development of the software to use permittivity values measured to automatically interrogate a database of values for explosives of interest to the government and place the result on the computer screen.
• Support integration of all images and extracted data into an open-architecture computer system with computational speed to provide detection and identification results in under a minute during the first base period, under 20 seconds for the spiral development of the first option period, and under 12 seconds for the spiral development of the second option period.
• Support production of final report containing all measurement techniques, hardware, software, and calculations.
• Support preparation and obtainment of approval of system and programming documentation.
• Support software unit testing and system testing as needed.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a science field (i.e., physics, chemistry) from an accredited college or university and 5 years of experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing advanced algorithms using digital signal processing techniques with Radar Imaging Technology such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
• Knowledge and experience in electromagnetic theory and scattering.
• Knowledge and experience in MMW image reconstruction and calibration.
• Knowledge and experience in modeling and algorithm development.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. 
• Highly motivated and self-starter with a strong desire to learn.
• Willingness and ability to work on site in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, full time.
• Sole US Citizenship with eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret Security Clearance and to obtain DHS Suitability.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a science field (i.e., physics, chemistry) from an accredited college or university and 15 years of experience; or a master’s degree in a science field (i.e., physics, chemistry) from an accredited college or university with 9 or more years of experience in experimental or applied science (physics, chemistry, or related). OR a Ph.D. degree in a natural science (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology) from an accredited college or university. Must have at least 3 or more years of post-graduate experience.
• Knowledge and application of Physical Optics theory
• Knowledge and experience in the use of compiled programming languages, computer programming engineering, Mathematica, MATLAB, and COMSOL.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of parallel computing programming languages, C++ with CUDA or similar.
• Prior experience working for TSA or DHS.
• DoD Secret security clearance.
   

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members.  No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle’s Legal Department.