Contact: act[AT]esa.intLocation: Noordwijk, The Netherlands
The European Space Agency’s Advanced Concepts Team (http://www.esa.int/act) is looking for a highly motivated young researcher in the field of Fundamental Physics.
Duties and Tasks
The successful candidate will carry out research in the field of fundamental physics, with a focus on quantum metrology. Areas of research are partly chosen by the successful candidate based on his/her own expert judgements and insight into trends and developments, partly chosen by the team as to follow strategic directions of the Agency.
Scientifically she/he will in particular:
– Propose and perform research in the field of theoretical quantum physics – including quantum information, optics and metrology – and the application of quantum effects to technology and material design as well as to other fields of physics e.g. relativistic quantum metrology, where
appropriate together with universities of ESA Member States (in particular through the Ariadna programme);
– Assess and investigate concepts and effects, either current or foreseen, derived from novel theoretical or experimental discoveries in physics for their potential application and use in space systems;
– Follow and monitor the progress of research in areas of physics of interest to the team in order to derive and report strategic trends;
– Critically assess ideas and concepts for space systems relying on methods or phenomena of the area of fundamental physics that are brought to the attention of the ACT.
As ACT researcher, she/he will:
– Publish results in peer-reviewed publications and use modern communication tools to communicate with the broader audience inside and outside ESA;
– Lead and assist interdisciplinary projects with other ACT researchers;
– Participate together with the team in the assessment of proposed space system concepts and propose new concepts and assessment studies; and
– Perform and participate in assessments on subjects of strategic interest of ESA, provide inhouse
expertise to strategy development.
Who can apply – Required Qualifications
The programme is open to suitably qualified women and men. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD.
The Research Fellow Programme is open to nationals of the following states: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, Slovenia as an Associate Member or Canada as a Cooperating State, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia as
European Cooperating States (ECS).
Applicants must have obtained:
– a degree in physics, mathematics or equivalent;
– PhD (completed before take up of duty) in Physics, subject of the thesis being relevant to the description of the tasks outlined above.
Additional Requirements:
– ability for and interest in prospective interdisciplinary research;
– aptitude to contextualise specialised areas of research and quickly assess their potential with respect to other domains and applications;
– academic networking to add functioning links to universities and research institutes;
– ability to work in a team, while being able to work individually regarding his/her own personal research plans and directions;
– natural curiosity and a passion for new subjects and research areas;
– good methodological and organisation skills;
– applicants must be fluent in English and/or French, working languages of the Agency. A good proficiency in English is required.