Academy Scientist (f/m/x) - IWF

The Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), Austria’s leading non- university research and science institution, is offering a position as an

Academy Scientist (f/m/x)
in Satellite Laser Ranging & Space Safety

(full-time / 40h per week)

with tenure-track option.

We invite ambitious candidates who are interested in technology development for new and existing fields of satellite laser ranging (SLR) & space safety at the IWF. We strive for a tight link between SLR technology development / operation and scientific activities in the frame of space safety and ecology. New Machine Learning (ML) software technology should be considered for future development.

• PhD in experimental physics or instrumental astrophysics
• Experiences in the development of laser systems and/or photonics systems in SLR application
• Successful integration of optical systems for laser ranging operation
• Experiences with telescope/observatory operation and electronics development in the field of SLR
• Track-record in
  • project and people management,
  • leading role(s) in SLR related subunit development, and/or
  • development of innovative SLR related hardware (e.g. photonics) and/or software (e.g. ML methods) technologies
• Experience in deriving science output from SLR observations

• Strengthening the leading position of the IWF Graz as SLR institution
• Supporting an existing research group with focus on SLR technology development and operation with a
• direct link to the IWF’s aspiration to contribute to the theme of space safety & space ecology
• New developments and research in accordance with the scientific core activities of IWF
• Managerial support (jointly with senior engineers of the research group) for existing projects (incl., big data SL projects, attitude determination) and collaborations (incl., ILRS, SDLR)
• Proposal writing and reporting of projects in technology development
• Coordination of the group’s activities to fulfil schedule requirements
• Supervision of group members and publication activities

The appointment begins as early as July 01st 2024 for initially 4 years with tenure-track option. We offer an annual gross salary of € 66.501,40 which may be adjusted according to the level of experience according to the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Applications must include a cover letter in addition to (1) curriculum vitae, (2) list of publications, (3) statement of relevant past experience (max 2 page), (4) a research & development plan (max 2 pages), (5) certificates for full academic record, and (6) two references letters.

Please send the application as one PDF file (Job ID: IWF017AS124) to cosima.muck@oeaw.ac.at no later than 30th, April 2024. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Cosima Muck.