Head of SLR Station Potsdam (f_m_x)
Reference Number 6667
The primary research field of Section 1.2 within Department 1 "Geodesy" is the precise determination of the figure of the Earth, its static and time-varying gravity field and its position in space. For this purpose, we develop, operate and analyze various geodetic satellite missions including modern gravity field satellite missions such as GRACE-FO and also develop dedicated hardware and software for scientific satellite missions. To determine the precise orbits of these satellites and to contribute to the realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), we operate a station that performs absolute and very precise range measurements to a variety of spacecraft in low, medium, and high orbits. This SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging) station is part of the worldwide network of ground stations in the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS).
Your responsibilities:
- Management of the operation and further development of the SLR station of GFZ Potsdam
- Execution of development and measurement tasks in the field of satellite geodesy
- Representation of the station in international committees of the ILRS
- Technology transfer of individual new and ongoing developments in cooperation with local industrial partners such as DiGOS
- Renewal of the SLR station for maintaining its observation capability and new future tasks in cooperation with local industrial partners
- Collaboration in the planning, development and operation of various satellite missions by designing dedicated on-board instruments, in particular for the GFZ laser retroreflectors (LRR), but in parts also for GNSS receivers
- For these tasks development, supervision of manufacturing and integration, measurement, verification, ground tests, documentation, delivery, mission support as well as quality management
Your qualifications:
- Academic university degree in physics, aerospace engineering or similar required, Ph.D. desirable
- Good knowledge of the principles of space geodesy measurement techniques
- Experience in the operation of geodetic ground stations, ideally SLR stations, and satellite missions
- Special knowledge in the field of solid state laser technology
- Very good programming skills (e.g. bash, Python, C/C++)
- Very good English language skills
- Special knowledge in the field of laser safety (qualification as laser safety officer desired)
- Willingness to work nights and weekends
- Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment with appropriate communication skills
- High motivation and personal responsibility
What we offer:
- Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Public service benefits
- Extensive training opportunities
- Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
- Flexible working hours and conditions
- Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
- Institute day-care centre on site
- Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
- Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Fixed-term: 3 years
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the severely disabled at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.
Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.
If you have any questions regarding equal opportunities, please contact the GFZ's Equal Opportunities Commissioner, Dr. Weckmann, at +49 331 288-2824 or by email.
The representative of the severely disabled at the GFZ, Ms. Thiel, will be happy to answer questions about the work participation of severely disabled persons at +49 331 288-1648 or by email.