Optical Engineer

Universität Bern; Bern; Vor Ort; CHF 100’000 - 125’000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An established industry player is seeking an Optical Engineer to join their innovative Space Weather group. This role involves designing and optimizing a unique instrument for astronomical observations, contributing to groundbreaking research in solar and stellar flares. You'll work alongside a dynamic team, utilizing cutting-edge technology and methodologies. If you're passionate about astronomy and possess strong skills in optical design and programming, this position offers a remarkable opportunity to make a significant impact in the field. Join a collaborative environment that values diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Qualifikationen

• MS degree in optical engineering or equivalent experience required.
• Experience with optical design, polarimetry, and spectrographs is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Design, test, and optimize a new instrument for measuring solar flares.
• Collaborate with a research group to analyze solar and stellar phenomena.

Kenntnisse

Optical Design

Polarimetry

Spectrographs

Astronomical Instrumentation

Programming (Python)

Team Collaboration

Ausbildung

MS degree in Optical Engineering

Equivalent Experience

Tools

Code V

Zemax

Jobbeschreibung

80-100 %

The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern invites applications for an Optical Engineer (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. The goal for this position is to help build a unique instrument to measure the full visible spectrum of flares. The instrument will be used at the University's own observatory in Zimmerwald (80 cm telescope) and as a guest instrument at other facilities.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with previous experience in one or more of the following fields: optical design and development, polarimetry, spectrographs, and astronomical instrumentation. Your task will be to help design, test, and optimize a new instrument. 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?".

Requirements

• MS degree in optical engineering, a similar discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with detailed optical design including polarization, dispersive techniques, transmission, tolerance, and stray light analyses. Experience with spectrographs, integral field spectroscopy, or astronomical instrumentation is a plus.
• Experience with design software, e.g., Code V or Zemax. Programming experience with Python; further programming languages are considered an asset.
• Knowledge of ground- or space-based solar or stellar observations is a plus.
• Fluent in English; German is an advantage.
• Team player who likes to work with other group members and students.
  
  

Appointment

After August 1, 2025, open until filled. 2-year position with an option for prolongation.

Application

deadline: May 15, 2025 via email to M. Galloway, containing (

as one pdf file

)

• CV
• list of publications or an example of own technical project documentation
• motivation letter for this specific position
• names of 2 references that can be contacted.
  
  

Salary

Based on the regulations of the University of Bern and the experience of the selected candidate.

For more details or to apply please contact Dr. Michelle Galloway ([e-mail]).

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.