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Young Graduate Trainee for Scientific Detector Performance Simulation

  • Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
  • Location:
  • Grade: Junior level - F1 - Young Graduate Trainee
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Scientist and Researcher
    • Nuclear Technology
  • Closing Date: Closed

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY

Young Graduate Traineeship Opportunity in the Directorate of Science.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications from women are encouraged.

Post
Young Graduate Trainee for Scientific Detector Performance Simulation

This post is classified F1.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands 

Our team and mission

The Future Missions Department is in charge of mission preparation activities (system definition studies Phases 0/A/B1 and technology development) and small missions implementation in the Science Directorate. The Payload Validation Section of the Department is in charge of specific mission-oriented validation activities, for science missions, aiming at reducing development risk in the implementation phase. The Section provides general support to the Directorate’s other Departments for specific validation activities, missions under development or during operations (see http://sci.esa.int/sci-fv/57057-payload-technology-validation/).

One of the main Section activities is to validate payload instrument detector and detector readout electronic performance.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity

The validation activities are primarily focused on detectors and electronics, typically for astronomy mission payloads. The support provided by the Section occurs at different phases in an ESA science mission:

•     during early precursor technology development (e.g. European near-infrared detection systems)

•     in the assessment/definition phase (e.g. ARIEL)

•     in the project implementation phase (e.g. Euclid, PLATO)

•     in the mission operations phase (e.g. GAIA)

Each validation activity encompasses the following tasks:

•     defining the activity: interaction with stakeholders (e.g. study, project or operations team, or payload consortium, instrument developers scientist) for requirements specification, test plan definition and implementation schedule

•     designing the validation set-up (generally by tailoring existing set-ups to need)

•     commissioning and characterising the test set-up

•     performing the tests according to the test plan

•     data analysis and reporting

In this context and to support payload definition and validation activities, the Section has developed a new software tool: Pyxel, a novel and multi-purpose Python framework for imaging detector simulation. It is designed to host and combine models, codes simulating instrument effects such as optical diffraction, charge deposition by cosmic rays, charge diffusion, detector point spread function, readout noise sources, charge transfer Inefficiency or persistence on images produced by CCD or CMOS-based imaging detectors.

Pyxel is now in beta testing and is being used and developed at and outside ESA (see

http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-department/60390-pyxel-a-software-framework-for-imaging-detector-simulation/)

Your role as Trainee will be to:

•     develop further and maintain the Pyxel framework

•     add additional existing detectors models to the framework

•     contribute to management and development of the Pyxel user community/collaboration (gitlab issue management, workshop organising, documentation, user need survey, tutorials)

Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical domains
Relevant experience gained during internships/project work
Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects
Behavioural competencies
Self Motivation
Communication
Continuous Learning
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity
Teamwork
Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a University course at Master’s level (or equivalent) in physics (optics and semiconductor) with experience in Python programming or equivalently in computer programming with experience in developing software for experimental physics application.

Additional requirements

Knowledge of Gitlab, Jupyter notebook, and experience in open source software contribution are considered an advantage.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.

During the interview your motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

The closing date for applications is  15 December 2019.

If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Slovenia, as an Associate Member, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as European Cooperating States (ECS).

Priority will first be given to candidates from under-represented Member States.

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment

This vacancy is now closed.
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