PhD Position - The Performance Assessment of a Novel Satellite Instrument to Measure Atmospheric Dynamics (FZ Jülich, IEK-7)

The Institute of Energy and Climate Research - Stratosphere (IEK-7) and related universities are building a series of Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometers (SHS) for remote sensing of the Earth atmosphere. The activities are part of the International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE) and a European Union funded activity to study innovative technologies in space. Scheduled launch dates for these novel instruments are from 2023 to 2026. The scientific objectives of the measurements are addressing open science questions related to the dynamics of the Upper Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere. This region couples Earth`s lower atmosphere and nearer space and is facilitating both the influence of the atmosphere onto the ionosphere and hence our space assets as well as upper-atmosphere influences onto the lower atmosphere.

Your Job:

• You will deal with the instrument calibration in our laboratory on ground and the instrument performance verification in space
  
  
• You will perform an intense in-orbit characterization of the stray light sensitivity of the instrument including hands-on mission planning
  
  
• To this end, an existing prototype data processor to convert raw measurement data into calibrated radiance spectra, which was developed in a previous PhD thesis, must first be applied to real in-orbit measurements and be brought to an operational state
  
  
• Next steps involve your applying of an inverse model to the measurement data to obtain spatially resolved temperature data of the atmosphere and analyzing these with respect to large scale variations of the observed temperatures caused by atmospheric waves
  

Your Profile:

• A strong background in physics, numerical mathematics, or computer science
  
  
• A Master`s degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, or electrical engineering is a prerequisite
  

Essential skills include:

• Programming proficiency in Python or a related language,
  
  
• Familiarity with software development platforms like GitHub/GitLab
  
  
• Willingness to work with measurement data
  
  
• Demonstrating the ability to work independently while remaining committed to the team
  
  
• Fluency in English is required as it will be the working language

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• An international, stimulating work environment
  
  
• Processing and scientific analysis
  
  
• Active participation in project meetings, as well as national and international conferences to present results and develop further competences, will be encouraged
  
  
• The opportunity to join the HITEC graduate school, which provides additional scientific and professional qualifications, as well as international exchanges to complement the candidate`s research work
  
  
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
  
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

The position is initially for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 67,5% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on
doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs
In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

https://www.fz-juelich.de/de/karriere/stellenangebote/2023D-082