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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
For its Directorate of Engineering at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of
Electronics Engineer
Garching
Deadline 29/05/2016
The position is in the Electronic Engineering Department, within the Directorate of Engineering at ESO's Headquarters in Garching, near Munich. The department comprises a group of 27 Electronic/Electrical Engineers and Technicians who are responsible for the definition, design and implementation of complex control systems for advanced optical and infrared astronomical instrumentation, detectors and telescope systems required for ESO's Observatories in Chile.
Within ESO's matrix structure, the successful candidate will have responsibility in defining the appropriate sensor and detector controller technologies to fulfil the scientific requirements of infrared and optical instruments and to design, modify, integrate and qualify infrared and optical detector systems. After an extended training period he/she will also be responsible for the final performance of the delivered systems and shall be able to provide support to the observatory staff for maintenance and problem solving.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The main duties and responsibilities of the successful candidate will be:
- Design and develop new electronics as part of the continual detector controller improvement
- Analyse limitations of the current generation of ESO detector controllers and propose modifications and new developments to meet the requirements of upcoming detector systems
- Familiarise with existing ESO detector controllers and afterwards configure the controller to operate and optimize new detectors
- Closely collaborate with ESO Engineers from other projects and at the Observatories; external instrument consortia; and detector manufacturers; and establish good working relationships
- Develop new detector setups, test prototype and science detectors for optical and infrared instruments
- Integrate, test, and verify performance of focal planes in IR/visible instruments according to specifications
- Provide support to observatory staff for maintenance and problem solving of deployed IR/optical detector systems
Experience:
Minimum of five years of professional experience in electronic design
A high degree of experience in the following is essential:
- High speed and low noise mixed signal electronic design, including PCB design
- Circuit analysis and simulation tools such as PSPICE, TINA
- Complex FPGA design using VHDL programming
- Scripting/computer languages and operating systems such as Linux, PYTHON, IDL or LabView
- Signal processing concepts
Familiarity in any of the following areas is desirable:
- Xilinx FPGAs
- Design of low noise electronics operating at cryogenic temperatures
- State-of-the-art detector controllers
- IR/visible detector system design, integration and test
- Image processing concepts
- Cryogenics and vacuum technology
- High precision mechanics
- Linux device driver
Key Competences:
- Proven experience in analog and digital electronic design including complex FPGA
- Ability to build strong collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines
- Provides clear, concise and timely oral and written communications that identify key issues, examine options and propose a way ahead
- Acquires new skills, keeps up-to-date with the tools used in daily work, adapts to new procedures and identifies ways to optimize the workflow
- Monitors progress of own work, delivers to agree deadlines and standards, plans activities, contributes to system design and is able to work under pressure
- Strong influencing skills, ability to motivate and inspire others
Qualifications:
University degree in electronics, physics or equivalent
Language Skills:
Excellent command of the English language is essential; a working knowledge of German or Spanish would be an advantage.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer a very attractive remuneration package including a highly competitive salary (tax free), flexible working arrangements, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, children educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in day care.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There is a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit http://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany with duty trips to ESO sites in Chile
Career Path:
V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (http://www.eso.org) for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV together with the names of three individuals willing to provide professional reference letters.
Closing date for applications is 31 March 2016.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
No nationality is in principle excluded however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.