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Working at ESO
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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 System Engineering Department at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is opening the position of an
Engineer/Applied Physicist in Interferometry
Garching
Deadline 24/04/2016
ESO is looking for a suitably qualified Engineer/Applied Physicist in Interferometry to work in SED's System Analysis Group in the Directorate for Engineering. The mission of the system analysis group is to support telescope and instrument projects in the area of optical performance. Analyses performed by the group support both, the early requirement engineering and design phase, where performances are estimated and error budgets allocated, as well as the late verification and commissioning phase, where test results and initial experiments are verified and compared to theoretical predictions from simulations. The Engineer/Applied Physicist will join the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) Facility Project, and participate in the development and analysis of the performances of the subsystems and instruments of the VLT Interferometer.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will:
- Work on analysis of performances of the VLT Interferometer
- Work on the development, integration, and verification of VLTI subsystems such as adaptive optics and fringe tracker
- Collaborate with Interferometry instrument consortia such as Gravity and MATISSE to follow/support the commissioning by monitoring and analysing how the VLTI systems are behaving
- Lead the system engineering work package of the project gravity For MATISSE.
As a consequence the selected candidate will travel in average 4 times per year to Paranal in order to participate in the verification and commissioning activities of VLTI, its subsystems and instruments.
Reports to:
Head of System Analysis group within the department of System Engineering
Experience:
At least 3 years experience in long baseline interferometry. Several years experience in data analysis with tools such as IDL, Matlab, and/or Python are required. Also demonstrated knowledge and experience in at least two of the following domains will be an asset:
- Adaptive opticso System engineering
- Control system
- Opto-Mechanics
Key Competences:
- Ability to analyse and solve technical problems involving several complex subsystems
- Contribute to the development of ideas and solutions to a technical problem within a team
- Strong sense of team spirit with the ability to work effectively in a multinational and multi cultural environment
- Flexibility in adapting to changes of requirements and to the planning of activities
Qualifications:
Doctoral or Master degree in astronomy, physics, optics, or an engineering discipline
Language Skills:
The position requires a good working knowledge of English.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of one year, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There is a possibility of extension(s) to a maximum contract duration of three years 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 regular duty trips to the 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.
Closing date for applications is 24 April 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 United Kingdom.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.