Young Graduate Trainee in Free Space Optical Time and Frequency Transfer
Darmstadt
- Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
- Location: Darmstadt
- Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
-
Occupational Groups:
- Physics and Mathematics
- Outer space and satellite technology
- Closing Date: Closed
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Young Graduate Trainee in Free Space Optical Time and Frequency Transfer
Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Operations
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Our team and mission
The Optical Technologies Section at ESOC develops technology for optical ground stations, ranging from free-space optical communication over satellite laser ranging and space debris and near-Earth object surveillance to photonic frequency and timing distribution. Our mission is to be at the forefront of technological innovation and to apply novel technologies to satellite operations.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Free-space optical (FSO) communication systems are very competitive and are appealing for the transfer of high-precision optical signals between ground stations and satellites. Time-frequency transfer techniques previously developed for long-distance optical fibre links can be applied to free-space optical channels. In cooperation with the MIT STAR Lab (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Space Telecommunications Astronomy Radiation Laboratory), the team will perform experiments using ESOC’s optical ground station IZN-1 located in Tenerife and CubeSat time-frequency transfer over a free-space optical communication channel.
As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will:
- Perform preliminary analysis of time synchronization performance, COTS availability, and link budget analysis for a required time-frequency transfer over a free space optical communication channel;
- Identify the required building blocks to upgrade the ESOC IZN-1 for optical time-frequency transfer with CubeSat Laser Infrared Crosslink (CLICK);
- Prepare and support on-site installation required for ESOC IZN-1 upgrade;
- Conduct optical time-frequency transfer experiments with IZN-1 and CLICK;
- Analyse and compare the experimental data with the expected performances;
- Propose potential future improvements to enhance the achieved end-to-end performances.
Following your traineeship, during which you will work as part of a small, highly motivated and international team, you will have an in-depth view of state-of-the art optical ground station technology, free-space optical communication, clocks and time-frequency transfer methodologies.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in physics, engineering or other related technical engineering studies.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.
You should have experience with optical or photonics systems, numerical data analysis.
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.
During the interview, your motivation and overall professional career goals will also be explored.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme and FAQ Young Graduate Programme
At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us 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 Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to candidates from under-represented or balanced 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 conducted by an external background screening service.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
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