Specific tasks include

Pre launch tasks

• The coordination of the definition of the instrument in-flight procedures. In that respect, he/she will be the PSO representative for the interface between the DPC and the MOC for what concerns the operations of the instrument. Together with the MOC, the post holder will participate in the validation of the instrument flight procedures with the SW simulator, and during System Validation test and End-to-End tests.
• The active participation in on-ground instrument and telescope level test and calibration activities. The post holder will gradually accumulate the results of the tests and calibration campaign into an Instrument Handbook that summarises the characteristics of the instrument and will later be used as support documentation (e.g. for the external AO).
• The preparation of the in-flight calibration activities. Together with the DPC, the post holder will draft and maintain the in-flight calibration plan for the instrument and the telescope. He/she will also participate in the reduction and analysis the ground calibration data and the derivation of the pre-launch set of calibration files that may be used initially to perform a first order reduction of Planck data.
• In close collaboration with the DPC, the preparation and maintenance of the Performance Verification (PV) Plan for the instrument and the telescope. He/she will also participate in the definition and validation of the instrument command sequences that may be required to perform specific calibration tasks or to characterise the instrument in flight.
• In close collaboration with the DPC and the Planck Project, the preparation and maintenance of the Instrument Commissioning Plan. He/she will also be involved to some extent in the definition, validation and maintenance of the Instrument Commissioning Procedures.
• In close collaboration with the DPC, the specification of calibration and/or data reduction algorithms that may be required to analyse ground calibration data. This work may include the actual prototyping of calibration and data reduction SW in e.g. the IDL environment. The algorithms so developed may later be ported into the pipeline SW that will be used to systematically reduce and calibrate all Planck data.
• The preparation and maintenance of the Instrument Calibration Handbook, documenting the instrumental signature on the Planck data and the step-by-step procedures that are required to calibrate them. This work will be performed in close collaboration with the DPC.
• The preparation and maintenance of the Instrument Data handbook specifying the general lay-out of the instrument data, the content and structure of the data products, from the raw TM to the final high level products generated by the pipeline processing SW, and summarising the corresponding processing steps applied to the data.
• The day-to-day interface between the DPC and the PSO for all that concerns data reduction and calibration of the instrument. The post holder will actively participate in all aspects of the definition, development, testing, and implementation of the scientific data processing pipelines, in order to gain deep understanding of the interactions between scientific processing (e.g. map-making, component separation, etc) and data calibration. The post holder will be able as a result to assess the quality of the processed data at various stages of the DPC pipeline.
• The active participation in instrument reviews, status meetings and technical working groups.

Post launch tasks

• Together with the DPC, analyse the data acquired during the commissioning of the instrument and provide an independent assessment of whether the commissioning tests have been passed or failed. He will prepare a report that will summarise the test results and serve as independent input to the Commissioning review.
• Together with the DPC, reduce and analyse the data acquired during the Performance Verification of the instrument. He/she may (TBC) be responsible for the derivation and subsequent maintenance of a subset of the in-flight calibration algorithms/parameters that will be used by the Pipeline SW to process all Planck data. Together with the DPC, he/she will also prepare a report summarising the in-orbit performance of the instrument that will serve as input to the End-of PV phase review.
• As a result of the above activities, provide advice to the PSO and input to the mission planners in case a specific commissioning test or PV calibration sequence failed and needs to be repeated.
• Update and maintain the Instrument Handbook with the in-flight characteristics of the instrument as derived from the analysis of the Commissioning phase and PV phase data.
• Specify and/or participate in the specification of reduction and/or calibration algorithms required to optimise the processing of instrument data. This activity will probably entail the actual prototyping of SW in e.g. IDL that will later be ported later on into the pipeline environment by SW engineers.
• Support the mission planning activities performed by the PSO, i.e. the generation of the spacecraft pointings and their monitoring.

Routine Operations

• Continue to analyse calibration data with a view to refine and upgrade the calibration files used to pipeline-process all Planck data. He/she may (TBC) be responsible for the maintenance of a specific subset of the calibration procedures.
• Continue active participation in all aspects of the continuing development, and operations of the scientific data processing pipelines, in order to gain deeper understanding of the interactions between scientific processing (e.g. map-making, component separation, etc) and data calibration. The post holder will be able as a result to assess the quality of the processed data at various stages of the DPC pipeline.
• Routinely analyse specific data sets and make recommendations for modification or upgrade of the data reduction algorithms.
• Participate in the validation of each new pipeline SW release. This task will include the analysis of a well defined subset of test data used to bench mark the performance of the SW. He/she will raise SW Problem Reports and/or Change Requests, as required. He/she will recommend to the PSO when a new SW release is sufficiently mature to be put into operations.
• Maintain the Instrument Data Handbook
• Maintain the Instrument Calibration Handbook, documenting the upgrade of calibration files and/or algorithms.
• Maintain the Instrument Data Handbook, reflecting the implementation of new SW releases and documenting the upgrade of the processing algorithms.
• Together with the DPC, define and maintain the systematic Quality Control procedures to be applied to all instrument data.
• Continue to act as the day-to-day interface between the DPC and the PSO for all matters related to instrument data processing and calibration
• Continue to act as the PSO representative as regards the day-to-day interface between the DPC and the MOC, for all matters related to the operations of the instrument. In particular, he/she will be involved in the maintenance, upgrade and re-validation of the Instrument Flight Operations Plan and procedures, the implementation and validation of new command sequences, and he/she may make recommendations to the PS concerning changes in the instrument on-board SW, through the instrument coordination working group.
• Continue to support the mission planning activities of the PSO.

Post Operations

• Monitoring and participating in instrument data processing, software maintenance and upgrades;
• Coordination of data calibration, DPC-to-DPC data exchange;
• Assessment of product quality and archival of scientific products and other deliverables.

Specific qualification requirements

Specific qualification requirements: The candidate has had experience in space experiments, in particular the testing, operation, and calibration of scientific instruments and the development of data analysis software. It is also considered a requirement that he/she has an active involvement in astronomical research in one of the areas within the scientific objectives of Planck.

Specific knowledge is required in the following areas: Strong communication and co-ordination skills and an understanding of the relevant scientific issues are indispensable. He/she should feel comfortable working with a team of people with diverse backgrounds, and taking on a proactive leadership role.

He/she should also and be willing to travel.

Comfortable in an international working environment and be fluent in English.

Comfortable with computers and modern operating systems and be able to develop software programs to support the routine activities of the group.

All applicants must hold a valid passport from a country of the European Union.

Location

The work will be performed at the ESAC, the European Space Astronomy Centre, at Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid, Spain.

Contract

The standard working hours are 40 per week. There are 12 public holidays and an additional 27 annual days holiday.

Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included.

Aurora can assist financially with relocation.

Summary

Aurora's successful formula is ensuring the happiness of employees and customers.

To be considered for this Position

Provide prior to 10 July 2008 a complete and detailed Recruitment Form to Mr. Alex Jeanes, user alexjeanes at domain aurora.nl quoting reference SOO-72.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting their recruitment form to ESA. ESA will select the candidates for interview at ESAC and Aurora will provide for interview travel costs. Should ESA select you then a formal letter of employment shall be issued with an agreed start date.