CEI Imaging Detector Research Fellow

Unit: Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Salary: £41,526 to £49,553

Location: Milton Keynes

Please quote reference: 18139

Role: Fixed Term Contract to 30^th September 2023, Full time

Closing Date: 16 April 2021, 12:00 noon

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

We are seeking to recruit an outstanding candidate to work on research and development into imaging sensor technology in the Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI), within the university’s School of Physical Sciences, in this industry-sponsored fellowship.

The Centre for Electronic Imaging is a world-leading research centre in imaging detectors for space applications that is based at the Open University and sponsored by Teledyne e2v.  Teledyne e2v has been trusted to design and deliver CCD and CMOS imaging sensors and sub-systems for over 150 space missions by the world’s largest space agencies, including NASA, ESA, JAXA, CNSA and most recently for the Russian-led World Space Observatory.  The CEI work closely with Te2v and the space agencies to design, develop and optimise imaging sensors for major space observatories.

Your main focus will be contributing to European Space Agency (ESA) space observatory missions such as Euclid, JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE), Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), Transient High-Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor (THESEUS) and the Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA), NASA missions such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (formerly WFIRST), as well as other future mission opportunities.

The Fellowship is being offered until the end of September 2023, however an extension beyond three years will be considered if external project funding allows nearer the time.

The role holder will be involved in:

1. Developing and carrying out research programmes based on CCD, EMCCD, CMOS and infrared imaging sensors and instrumentation.
2. Conducting a largely independent programme of research within the CEI with opportunities for collaborations with existing researchers across the STEM faculty.
3. Applying for additional research funding where appropriate.
4. Publishing research findings in referred journals and communicate them at conferences.
5. Providing appropriate support to other members of the research group, including supervision for postgraduate research students.

Skills and experience

You will possess a PhD in Physics, Engineering or a closely related subject, have a strong research and publications record commensurate with the extent of experience, and a record of independent funding of research activities and/or a clear plan and awareness of funding strategy.

Experience with the operation, testing and calibration of CCD and/or CMOS imaging is essential.

See the attached Job Description below for more information and requirements for the role.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Simon Malkin (simon.malkin@open.ac.uk).

If you have any questions regarding the research group or the role please contact David Hall (david.hall@open.ac.uk).

What you get in return

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 33 days holiday per annum pro rata plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days, and an attractive pension proposition.

How to apply

Follow the apply link to the OU jobs page where you will find the Job Description and details on how to apply.

Closing date: 16 April 12:00 noon

Interviews are expected to take place on: w/c 19 April

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