Engineer or Physicist MICADO (f/m/d)

The Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany is seeking applications from highly-qualified and motivated candidates for a position as
Engineer or Physicist with a focus on optics and system engineering for the design and integration of astronomical instruments. The posting is anticipated to begin on 1 September 2020.
The MPIA is one of the leading astronomical research institutes worldwide, and it develops instrumentation for ground-based telescopes as well as for space missions. Further information about the institute’s instrumentation program appears at http://www.mpia.de/en/research/telescopes.
The main project for this position will be the MICADO relay optics. MICADO is a first-light instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently being built by the European Southern Observatory in Chile (see www.eso.org). MPIA is part of the international development consortium responsible for the relay optics work package and the calibration unit.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, procurement, and verification of the relay optics and will interact closely with scientific colleagues at the institute. The position is offered for five years.

The detailed assignments comprise:

• Design of  optics, including tolerance analysis
• Procurement of the optics, negotiations with manufacturers
• Development of an alignment concept for the MICADO relay optics
• Integration and alignment of the optics
• Using optical measurement techniques e.g. interferometry, auto-collimation, image processing, etc.
• Accomplishment of acceptance and verification procedures
• Installation and commissioning of instruments at the telescope
• Developer and user-level documentation of these procedures
• Presenting developments at consortium meetings.

Your profile:

• A master’s degree in engineering or physics or equivalent qualification
• Good knowledge of optics and measurement techniques
• Experience with the OpticsStudio optical design software
• System engineering skills in the context of astronomical instrumentation
• Good working knowledge of spoken and written English for collaborating in international teams
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to work abroad for limited periods to install and commission astronomical instruments and to participate in consortium meetings
• A basic knowledge of German for negotiations with companies 

We offer a very challenging and rewarding international field of work with state-of-the-art technology. The remuneration is based on the German collective wage agreement for the public sector (TVöD) and depends on qualification and experience up to level EG 13. Social benefits are granted according to the regulations for public service. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women, disabled people, minorities, and historically under-represented groups are particularly welcome. MPIA supports its employees in their search for suitable child care.

The position is initially for 5 years. We offer a very challenging and rewarding international field of work with state-of-the-art technology. The remuneration is based on the German collective wage agreement for the public sector (TVöD) depending on qualification and experience. Social benefits are granted according to the regulations for public service. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and encourages disabled persons to apply. Applications from women and historically under-represented groups are particularly welcome. The MPIA supports its employees in their search for suitable childcare institutions.

More detailed information about the MPIA is available from our webpage: http://www.mpia.de

Your application materials should contain:
a CV, a statement of past experience, a summary of your job-related skills, university certificates, and the names and addresses of three referees who can be contacted for references.

All applications and reference letters need to be submitted not later than July, 17, 2020 using our online application system at:
Online Application

For further information, please contact:
Peter Bizenberger at: Email:
[email protected]
phone:
(+49) 6221 528311.