Instrument Analyst/Engineer:Imperial College London – Space and Atmospheric Physics Group

From: Patrick Brown – patrick.brown@imperial.ac.uk

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Instrument Analyst/Engineer:Imperial College London – Space and Atmospheric Physics Group Department of Physics South Kensington Campus

Salary £31,340 to £38,930 per annum

Fixed term: 1 year in the first instance, commencing immediately, with the possibility of extension subject to funding

Applications are invited for a one-year Instrument Analyst/Engineer position in the Space and Atmospheric Physics Group within the Department of Physics at Imperial College, to start as soon as possible.

The group currently has a major scientific and hardware involvement in world-leading heliospheric, magnetospheric and planetary physics space missions. Further details can be found at http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/spat.

The successful candidate will join a team of scientists and engineers to take over the operation and calibration of the four fluxgate magnetometer experiments on board the ESA Cluster magnetospheric research spacecraft. The operations role will involve preparation of instrument command sequences, monitoring of instrument performance and critical parameters and associated data analysis. The calibration role will involve the preparation of high quality calibrated datasets as part of the Cluster Active Archive project. In addition to these tasks it is expected the post holder will undertake magnetometer instrument development activities in the areas of sensor development, electronics design, breadboarding and test in response to new opportunities that may arise.

A degree in physics, engineering, or a closely related discipline or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience is essential.

You will have experience in the use of high end scientific instrumentation including design and signal conditioning techniques in the analogue and/or digital domain.

Experience of one or more programming languages (e.g. C, C++, Assembler), algorithm and code development is essential. Experience of the plotting and analysis of experimental data and associated processing and data manipulation methods is also essential.

Familiarity with generic instrument and sensor calibraton principles and processes would be desirable. Experience of Matlab, Linux operating systems, and scripting languages such as PERL would also be desirable.

Informal inquiries about the position can be directed to Patrick Brown (patrick.brown@imperial.ac.uk) or Chris Carr (c.m.carr@imperial.ac.uk).

Our preferred method of application is online via our website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/employment (Please select “Job Search”, then enter the job title or vacancy reference number NS 2010 117NT into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed, also providing a CV and a list of publications, and the names of three referees.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact the Space and Atmospheric Physics Group Administration office via space.sec@imperial.ac.uk

Closing Date: 23 August 2010

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. The Department of Physics is an Athena Silver SWAN Award winner and an Institute of Physics Juno Champion.