Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Optical and Quantum Communication

Internal Research Fellowship 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. For this purpose, we 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 F2 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany  

OPS-SAT VOLT (Versatile Optical Laboratory for Telecommunications) is an ESA ARTES Scylight funded mission based on a state-of-the-art flying CubeSat lab that focuses on optical communications and quantum communication. This project will unlock new frontiers in space research and secure data transmission leveraging the power of optics and quantum principles. This 16U CubeSat will feature optical and quantum payloads and exclusive reconfigurable elements, enabling in-flight experimentation. This will offer a versatile platform for researchers and experimenters for several applications including (but not limited to) optical communications, quantum key distribution (QKD), advanced data handling concepts and artificial intelligence.

The project is in the Preliminary Design Stage with a launch planned in 2025. The industrial team is currently focusing on the design, prioritising the primary challenges which include identifying suitable wavelengths and wide bandwidth optical subsystems to accommodate the coexistence of on-board classical optical and QKD payloads.

Recognising the crucial significance of OPS-SAT VOLT in Europe for demonstrating end-to-end services using optical communications and quantum communication as well as the challenges that come with it, ESA’s Ground Station Optical Technologies section (OPS-GSO) and OPS-SAT Space Lab work closely together, connecting satellite operations and ground station engineering. The optical technologies section is developing, with its industrial partners spread across Europe, optical ground stations for laser ranging, space debris and near-Earth object observations , optical and quantum communication.

You will have the opportunity to conduct research that will contribute to the scientific and operational success of this forward-looking mission.

This opportunity is unique because OPS-SAT Space Lab is presently heavily involved in the space segment development while OPS-GSO is simultaneously managing several ground optical ground station developments. Hence you will have access to all the development information of the end-to-end system and be able to directly influence it. Also, the experimental nature of the mission means that innovative concepts identified during the development can be flight-tested immediately.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/

In particular, your research activities will be to:

• tackle the challenges associated with the existing concepts of pointing and tracking (at both ground and space segment levels) for classical communications and advance them to encompass Quantum Key Distribution and entangled photon operations. You will help identify suitable engineering solutions, while ensuring compatibility with the available (but undergoing validation and further development) CCSDS standards on optical communications;
• assist in the design and implementation of the ground segment for OPS-SAT VOLT which requires meticulous design considerations for smooth optical ground station beacon uplink, thereby optimising the processes of acquisition and tracking, paving the way for automated operations;
• challenge established optical LEO-direct-to-Earth link acquisition concepts and elaborate new concepts;
• take part in the definition and evaluation of the suitable building blocks for the OPS-SAT VOLT ground and space segment for the successful implementation of the optical and quantum channels;
• focus on the advancement of bi-directional optical communications exploring the implementation of variable date rate communications, automatic repeat request and link recovery mechanism via e.g. dedicated ground beacon uplink transmission and advanced processing techniques;
• define, implement, and test innovative concepts identified during the development that will be tested in flight;
• develop and test concepts for controlling OPS-SAT-VOLT via telecommands send through the optical uplink.

Knowledge relevant to the field of research

Research/publication record

Ability to conduct research autonomously

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Ability to gather and share relevant information

General interest in space and space research

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking 

You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD.

In particular for this position, the following is required: a PhD in engineering, physics or another relevant domain.

You should also have:

- free-space optical communication experience

- quantum communication knowledge

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.     

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework .

For further information on the Internal Research Fellowship Programme please visit: Internal Research Fellowship

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please add your proposal of no more than 5 pages outlining your proposed research in the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.

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 at [email protected] .

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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, Croatia 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 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.