In addition, the role holder will have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of other research projects across the CEI, including other space missions and mission concepts for ESA (e.g. Euclid, SMILE, Theseus, X-ray interferometry) and NASA (e.g. the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope).

Key Responsibilities

• Support the detector calibration and data correction activities of the CEI project teams.
• Support the design and implementation of laboratory test equipment used for detector calibration.
• Perform detector calibration testing in the laboratory.
• Prepare and analyse detector calibration data.
• Support testing at external testing facilities with project partners.
• Professionally document role activities.
• Produce technical reports on the data acquired and analysis of the data.
• Work closely with CEI project teams to ensure that the work progresses in a timely manner and report any problems.
• Attend regular project meetings, workshops and conferences. Report progress verbally and in written form.
• Promote knowledge and technology exchange with Teledyne e2v and other project collaborators and contribute to the wider research activities of the CEI, where required.

About You

Essential Experience:

• A PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, or a closely related subject, or equivalent experience in a related environment.
• Experience with working in a laboratory environment.
• Proficiency in coding in MATLAB, C/C++, Java and/or Python (or similar) development environments.
• Good problem solving and analytical skills, demonstrated logical and rigorous approach to work.
• Demonstrates a proven ability to work effectively within a team.

Desirable Experience:

• A basic knowledge and/or experience in X-ray astronomy/IR detector technologies.
• Extraction and/or analysis of laboratory or in orbit data from an X-ray and/or IR detector system.
• Experience with CCD and/or CMOS image sensors, X-ray and/or IR testing, characterisation and/or calibration of image sensors.
• Experience with optics and optical systems.
• Good understanding of, and demonstrable experience in, writing bespoke data acquisition and data analysis code and/or software algorithms with a focus on interfacing with test systems and automation of test measurements.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that the role holder will be required to work from our Milton Keynes campus at least 3 days per week, to support with laboratory-based work.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place 14th or 15th October.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 1000 words and should outline how your current skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above).

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.