Space Detector Calibration Scientist

Unit :  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Salary :  £37,099 to £54,395
Location :  Milton Keynes
Please quote reference :  21601
Fixed term, Full Time post
Closing Date :  7 May, 2024 - 12:00

This position is being offered until the end of March 2025, however, it is expected that additional funding will be available to extend this date.

The salary offered will be dependent on the applicant’s level of skills and experience linked to the essential and desirable criteria for the role and a proven ability to perform required tasks independently and upon own initiative.

Interview date: TBC

A flexible, hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office, the role holder will be expected to attend the University to conduct lab-based work as required.

Change your career, change lives

The Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) is a research centre based within the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University. The CEI is a collaboration between the Open University and Teledyne e2v, a world-leading manufacturer of scientific and industrial image sensors. The CEI is dedicated to conducting research into advanced imaging technologies for science applications and conducts its research in collaboration with many universities, agencies and companies including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, NASA and Teledyne e2v.

One such mission is the Canadian-led Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and ultraviolet Research (CASTOR), which is a 1m space telescope that will provide high-resolution imaging in the ultraviolet (UV) and blue-optical wavelengths. The CEI is working with NASA/JPL and several UK and Canadian research institutions on the imaging instrument for CASTOR and is responsible for the testing, modelling, and verification of the performance of the UV-enhanced CMOS Imaging Sensors (CIS) used for this instrument.

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic individual with experience in astronomy and/or detector physics to join the CEI CASTOR project team as a CASTOR Detector Calibration Scientist. The successful candidate will be trained by the team as necessary to enable them to work within the CEI CASTOR project team, with a focus on the development, test and space qualification of the UV-enhanced CIS devices for CASTOR and related calibration and correction procedures for in-flight operations of the CASTOR instrument. The role holder will be engaged in all aspects of the development, planning, and calibration campaigns for the detector test and simulation activities designed to characterise and optimise the performance of the detectors for flight, while connecting between the laboratory testing and radiation campaigns and the UV astronomy science requirements, interfacing between the related teams at the OU, NASA/JPL, CSA, University of Leicester and wider technical and science collaborators.

Skills and experience

• A PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering or a closely related subject
• A background in either UV/optical astronomy or detector physics.
• Proficiency in coding in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar development environments
• demonstrable problem solving and analytical skills and a strong record of research and/or knowledge exchange.

More information can be provided via a link to the Job Description

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Marian Cattermole at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or [email protected] quoting the reference VRF 21601

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the instructions on The OU Job’s page. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be received.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;

• CV
• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

Please save your document with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: reference, surname, forename.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application. Please click on the APPLY NOW button below to be redirected to our application page.

APPLY NOW

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected] . Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders so it does not go to your junk folder.

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal .

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

Email : [email protected]  

Job related information : 

Attachment	Size

Attachment	Size
Job Description Space Detector Calibration Scientist.docx	131.76 KB

• Academic Terms and conditions  (PDF)

• Academic Terms and conditions  (Word document)

Posting Date :  16 April, 2024 - 10:00