Physicist, mathematician, aerospace engineer or similar (f/m/d)

Scientific activity / project work
Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and help shape the future with research and innovation! With the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure, we offer an exciting and inspiring working environment. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and to solving global challenges. Would you like to tackle this major future task with us? Then your place is with us!

What you can expect:
The Institute of Atmospheric Physics deals with relevant questions of atmospheric research, with reference to the programmes of the Helmholtz Association of German research institutions: Aeronautics, Space, Transport and Energy.
The Institute's Lidar Department develops ground-based, airborne and space-based lidar systems and operates them for the active remote sensing of important meteorological variables and atmospheric trace gases, which are used for weather and climate research and air traffic safety. With its lidar systems, the
department takes part in national and international flight measurement campaigns for atmospheric and climate research and  to research into the atmosphere from the ground to the lower thermosphere. The above-mentioned activities are to be used in the development and application of aircraft and satellite-borne lidar systems for the observation of greenhouse gases.

 As part of this research field, your tasks will include the following activities:

 Development of aircraft-borne lidar systems and their use, application and data evaluation

 Development of aircraft-borne lidar systems for the measurement of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

• You will develop innovative, tunable laser systems in the laboratory, investigate customised receiver systems and construct measurement and test setups
•  You carry out measurements and laboratory tests for prototype development and optimise the designs
• They transfer the results from the laboratory and further develop the prototypes into operational aircraft-borne lidar systems and organise certification on research aircraft

 Use, application and data analysis of lidar systems

•  They operate lidar systems on research aircraft and take part in measurement campaigns lasting several weeks and their planning
•  You the data scientifically, apply it in process studies and publish your results in relevant specialist literature and present them at conferences, as well as to specialist committees, project partners and third-party funding bodies

 Further work on the use of satellite data

•  You will be involved in the preparation the Franco-German climate mission MERLIN with regard to quality assurance and scientific mission planning
• They create analysis software for the satellite data, procedures for quality assurance and prepare the use of the MERLIN satellite data for estimating greenhouse gas fluxes

This is what we expect from you:

• Completed scientific university degree (Master's or Diplom Uni) in natural sciences, e.g. physics, mathematics, engineering sciences such as aerospace engineering or other degree programmes relevant to the position
• PhD in physics or in a comparable natural science or engineering degree programme
• Specialised knowledge in the field of laser development
• Many years of in-depth practical laboratory experience in the development of laser systems, preferably in the nanosecond range
• Very good knowledge of non-linear optics
• Profound knowledge in the field of optical detectors
• In-depth user knowledge of special programming languages for data science (e.g. Python, Julia or IDL)
• Many years of experience in handling large amounts of data
• Very good written and spoken German and English skills
• Willingness to carry out measurement campaigns lasting several weeks at home and abroad; physical ability to carry out measurement flights, sometimes under difficult conditions, e.g. also in the Arctic and the tropics
• Knowledge of lidar remote sensing desirable
• Ideally knowledge of optical design with relevant software (e.g. ZEMAX)
• Experience in retrieval algorithms for remote sensing methods is an advantage
• Experience in quality control of satellite data desirable
• Knowledge of computer-aided design with relevant software (e.g. CATIA) an advantage Experience in the aeronautical approval of measuring devices for use on aeroplanes.
• Research aircraft desirable
• Ideally knowledge of the French language

Our offer:
DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees in their personal and professional environment. Our numerous training and development opportunities are available for this purpose. Equal opportunities are a particular concern of ours, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management.
We give preference to applications from severely disabled people if they are professionally qualified.

Further information:
Starting date: immediately
Duration: 3 years
Degree of employment: Full-time (part-time possible)
Remuneration: Depending on qualifications and assignment of tasks up to pay group 14 TVöD.
Reference number: 97564