Job Reference: WiMi_PLATO-PCOTcommissioning
Application deadline: 27 January 2025
Starting date:  –
Where: Freie Universität (FU) Berlin, Malteserstr. 74-100 Haus D, 12249 Berlin (Lankwitz)
Duration of the contract:  3 years – Full-time
Salary: 13 TV-L

Job Tasks 

The position announced is part of the work performed by the PLATO Mission Consortium (PMC) and will be performed in close cooperation with DLR, ESA, and other European PMC members. Applicants shall contribute to the work of the PLATO Calibration and Operations Team (PCOT) and take part in supporting the ESA Science and Mission Operations Centers (SOC and MOC) concerning the instrument calibration during commissioning phase and support regular instrument operations. This work is complemented by respective pre-launch preparatory activities. This includes supporting, e.g., procedures for the ESA MOC, development of the „Quick Look Analysis (QLA)“-system, „Flight Operational Procedures (FOPs)“ and related „Consortium Operational Requests (CORs)“. The applicant will actively take part in the instrument monitoring, performance checking and commanding preparations, in cooperation with and support of ESA.

The work at FU Berlin includes:

• Support in the definition of the QLA and respective instrument monitoring parameters
• Support of ESA MOC/SOC during instrument monitoring (also at ESA centers)
• Development of required data and instrument commanding procedures for instrument operations
• Delivery of inflight-calibration and configuration parameters to ESA
• Documentation and support for reviews.

Profile’s requirements 

• a Master and PhD degree in space engineering, physics, geophysics, or astronomy
• several years of experience in calibration and operation of scientific space instruments
• long-term professional experience in a scientific or technical environment in the field of space sciences.

Desirable:

• Good programming skills, preferentially in Python
• Good documentation skills
• Willingness to actively take part in instrument operations, including stays at ESOC/Darmstadt
• Experience in optical payload calibration and operations and associated software systems is highly desirable.
• Experience in ground processing pipelines for space instruments (preferably optical payload), statistical methods and visualization of data.
• Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based
• Very good written and spoken English language competences
• High motivation, ability to work independently as well as part of a team, excellent communication skills

How to apply 

Applications should be sent stating the reference code no later than Jan 27th, 2025.

Further information on how to apply and contact information are reported in the Job offer.