Astronomical Instrumentation Postdoc or Senior Research Assistant

CAS in Medication Safety University of Bern; Bern; On-site; CHF 91,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Central location in Bern

Team-oriented work

Strong research infrastructure

Job summary

The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern, invites applications for a Postdoc or Senior Research Assistant (80-100%) to work on astronomical instrumentation. The role includes design, review, and commissioning within an ERC project, with opportunities to contribute to adaptive optics and broader scientific work.

Initial positions are budgeted for 2 years with renewal based on performance; senior candidates may lead the instrumentation group and expand teaching

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, astronomy, or a similar discipline.
• Experience with astronomical instrumentation, preferably spectropolarimetry, optical design, or integral field imaging.
• Programming experience with Python; knowledge of Code V or Zemax beneficial.
• Knowledge of ground- and space-based solar or stellar observations.
• Experience with project management and reviews (PDR/CDR).
• Teamplayer who likes to work with other group members and students.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design, review and commissioning of astronomical instrumentation as part of the Space Weather group.
• Work on ERC project goal of building a full-visible-spectrum instrument for solar and stellar flares.
• Involvement in adaptive optics projects and further scientific work.

Skills

Astronomical instrumentation

Python programming

Spectropolarimetry

Optical design

Integral field imaging

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in physics/astronomy

Tools

Code V

Zemax

Job description

Astronomical Instrumentation Postdoc or Senior Research Assistant 80-100%, fixed-term, Bern

UniBE is prestigious. With us, you benefit from the excellent reputation of a long-standing institution all around the world.

Requirements and Appointment

• PhD degree in physics, astronomy, or a similar discipline.


• Experience with astronomical instrumentation, preferably also in spectropolarimetry, optical design, or integral field imaging.


• Experience in programming with Python, further programming languages are considered an asset. Knowledge of Code V or Zemax is beneficial.


• Knowledge of ground- and space-based solar or stellar observations.


• Experience with project management and reviews (PDR/CDR).


• Teamplayer who likes to work with other group members and students.

The successful candidate will be expected to start in Bern after March 1, 2027, upon mutual agreement.

• Postdoc positions are initially budgeted for 2 years with annual contracts, with possibility for extension.


• Senior research assistant positions are renewed annually upon satisfactory performance.

The hiring level will be determined according to the candidate's previous experience and preferences. Senior candidates will be asked to manage the instrumentation group and further instrumentation projects and will be able to expand their teaching portfolio, with the prospect of becoming the deputy leader for the whole research group, and to qualify for a future permanent position in the institute.

About The Position

The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern invites applications for a Postdoc or Senior Research Assistant (80-100%) to work on astronomical instrumentation. The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidate will work in the space weather group, which focuses on understanding solar and stellar flares. This position is initially part of an ERC project with the goal of building a unique instrument to measure the full visible spectrum of flares. The first stellar prototype is already installed at the University's own observatory in Zimmerwald (80 cm telescope). The solar instrument version is in the design phase and planned to be used as a guest instrument. The goal of this position is to contribute to the design, review, and commissioning as part of our instrumentation team. The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to be involved in our adaptive optics project and further scientific work.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with experience in astronomical instrumentation, in particular optics, instrument design, and spectrographs. You will be part of a research group of >10 people that combines instrumentation, machine learning, observations and models to answer questions such as \"When and where will a flare occur? What are the origins and mechanisms of solar flares and stellar superflares?\" This position includes management duties for documentation, reviews, and our optics lab.

Salary

Salary is based on the regulations of the University of Bern and your experience, starting at 91/103/121 (Early Postdoc / Advanced Postdoc / Senior Research Assistant) kCHF/year.

Equal Opportunity

An equal opportunity environment is important to us, and we welcome applicants from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy. We will be particularly pleased to receive applications from women for the advertised position.

Location

Central location in the heart of Bern

Your Benefits

• Central location in the heart of Bern


• Team-oriented work


• Strong research infrastructure and international network

Working at the University of Bern

The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us.

Questions about the position

Prof. Dr. Lucia Kleint (email [e-mail]).

Questions about the application

Prof. Dr. Lucia Kleint (email [e-mail]).