Young Graduate Trainee for Opto-Electronics

Space research is at the forefront of human technology. All systems designed for space incorporate state-of-the-art technology with unprecedented quality and reliability. The Optoelectronics Section contributes to the development of passive and active opto- and optoelectronic technologies and systems. This work extends to advanced and highly coherent lasers and lidars and other optoelectronic devices such as detectors and spectrometers. A large part of the Section’s core business is related to development of space optical detector technology.  It is hard to design a modern spacecraft without CCD or CMOS components, which may be part of the primary system (telescopes, spectrometers) or support sub-systems (monitoring cameras, star trackers). The Section maintains a laboratory in which optical detectors are evaluated to the most stringent requirements.

The Mechatronics and Optics Division’s mission

Mechatronics is the fusion of mechanical, electrical, optical and optoelectronic/electro-optic, material and bio-technology systems. It contributes to the development of advanced robotics, instrumentation for physical and life sciences, optical instruments for remote sensing, devices which transmit and detect light for communication or processing, as well as the development of life-support systems. The design and verification of optical systems is another core activity, ranging from full-size telescopes to fibre optics and photonics devices, from laser communications to lidar atmosphere-sampling sensors and space interferometers. This work extends to advanced and highly coherent lasers and lidars and other optoelectronic devices such as detectors and spectrometers. Techniques to generate large numbers of cold atoms using simplified experimental methods have also been developed in the recent past, adding to the range of techniques needed to be qualified for later space implementation. The applications are principally in the domain of laser-cooled atom sensors including Cold Atom Interferometry (CAI), Optical Atomic Frequency Standards (OAFS) as well as the transfer of ultra-stable frequencies in fibre networks and eventually in free space.

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

Quality and reliability of the detection system are of utmost importance and in all cases are critical to the success of missions costing millions. Most scientific missions rely on tiny variations in measured variables. In exoplanet research, for example, these are variations in the brightness of a distant star, caused by a transient planet. Sub-optimal noise performance of the detection system could be the difference between detecting a planet or not. In atmospheric research, the quantity of greenhouse gasses is estimated based on tiny variations in the spectral components of the radiation scattered by the atmosphere. A non-linear detector, for example, causing distorted spectral profiles would result in significant misinterpretation of the pollutant densities. Therefore, precise knowledge of all characteristics of the detection system is essential to the quality of the scientific data.

Detector systems are also “aging” in space. Radiation effects due to prolonged exposure to the hostile space environment deteriorate the performance of detectors, seriously affecting quality of data. Some phenomena can be mitigated; most are just corrected a posteriori in the calibration process. Knowledge of detector behaviour in the space environment is very important for the success of a mission.

In the Optoelectonics Section laboratory, various CCD and CMOS detectors are evaluated to the most stringent requirements. The laboratory is constantly evolving and enhancing its measurement capabilities.

As a YGT you will participate in the development of new capabilities, optimisation of existing facilities, analysis of experimental data and characterisation of the electro-optical performance of visible and infrared wavelength detectors.

You will support the Laser Optical Verification Facility (LOVF) by testing the third flight model of the Aeolus laser installed at the Optoelectronics Section laboratory.

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a university course at Master's level (or equivalent) in a technical or scientific discipline.

You should have a good mathematical/statistical background in particular error estimation, least stare fitting, etc. You should also have good skills in large data/image processing preferably using Python or MATLAB.

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.