Job opportunities
Instrument Calibration Scientist – ARRAKIHS Mission
The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.
Introduction
The purpose of this call is the selection process of a candidate to occupy the position Scientist in Instrument Calibration - ARRAKIHS Mission assigned to Cosmology Area of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia.
Description of position
- Position: 1. Instrument Calibration Scientist – ARRAKIHS Mission
- Professional group: group III. Scientific staff
- Professional category: Research Scientist
- Working hours: 37,5 hours/week
- Working location: Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), Carrer de Can Magrans, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
Functions
As the Instrument Calibration Scientist for the ARRAKIHS mission, you will be at the forefront of ensuring the scientific accuracy of the instrument's data within the Instrument Operations and Science Data Center (IOSDC) team. Your primary responsibility will be to design, implement, and manage the calibration strategy program for this astrophysics mission under the European Space Agency (ESA). This includes developing a comprehensive calibration plan that encompasses both on-ground and in-flight calibration activities, ensuring the instrument is calibrated to capture the faint low surface brightness (LSB) signal from ultra deep-sky observations.
You will also lead the development of the calibration pipeline, responsible for producing calibration products that will feed into the main data processing pipeline. Working closely with the visible detector characterization team at IEEC, you will ensure and test the detector performance and optimize the calibration process, with the rest of the characterization team. Your role will also include supporting the overall performance analysis of the instrument to ensure it meets mission objectives.
The selected person will perform the following tasks:
- Calibration Pipeline Leadership: Lead the definition and development of the calibration pipeline to generate the calibration data for the main data reduction processing.
- Calibration Plan Development: Design and execute a calibration plan, covering systematic effects such as optical, detector characteristics and environmental effects, ensuring both on-ground and onboard calibration.
- Transversal Working Group Co-coordination: Organization and participation of the transversal working group on Data Pipeline and Calibration in coordination with the ARRAKIHS ESA team.
- Performance Analysis Support: Assist in the performance analysis of the instrument, contributing to continuous end-to-end performance assessment and optimization.
- Support Visible Detector Characterization: Work closely with the characterization team at IEEC responsible for the visible detector characterization to ensure that their findings inform calibration processes. Similarly, engage with the other characterization teams (VIS and NIR) to influence and integrate their calibration plan.
- Documentation and Reporting: Document calibration processes and results, ensuring traceability and compliance with ESA and mission-specific requirements.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
- Experience: Expertise in calibration of astronomical imager instruments, with experience in space missions highly valued (8 years or more).
- Education: PhD degree in Astronomy, Physics, Engineering, or a related field.
- Skills: Proficiency in calibration techniques, with experience addressing systematic effects.
- Collaboration: Strong ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
- Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively communicate and report on calibration activities.
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits:
- A strong background in optical systems, detector technologies, and space instrumentation.
- Experience in designing and operating data reduction pipelines
- Proven experience managing calibration plans that address both ground-based and in-flight calibration requirements.
- Experience with ESA projects or missions.
Contact and deadline
Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send a motivation letter, together with the personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the email address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_177_2024" in the subject line of the email.
The reception of applications ends on
Selection procedure
Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.
Interested persons must have the originals of the certificates accrediting the training and work experience mentioned in the curriculum and must submit them if required.