Postdoctoral Fellow-Pyxel detector simulation for WST
The Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST: https://wstelescope.eu/,
arXiv:2403.05398) is an innovative 12-m class wide-field spectroscopic
telescope with simultaneous operation of a large field-of-view (3 sq.
degree) and high multiplex (30,000) multi-object spectrograph facility
with both medium and high resolution modes (MOS), and a giant panoramic
(3x3 sq. arcmin) integral field spectrograph (IFS).
WST is a Research and Innovation Action funded by the European Research
Executive Agency (REA) under the powers delegated by the European
Commission under Grant Agreement No. 101183153 - WST -
HORIZON-INFRA-2024-DEV-01.
Under this agreement, ESO is contributing, among other, to the WST
Detector Workpackage. Within this framework ESO is offering a
postdoctoral research position for the development of detector
simulations using the Pyxel environment (https://esa.gitlab.io/pyxel/page/introduction/).
For WST, the detector is one of the drivers of system performance, and a
full detector trade-off is currently ongoing (CCD vs CMOS, silicon
thickness and QE, operating temperature). The goal of this project is to
produce high-fidelity simulations of the actual detector readouts of
the instrument's focal plane, thereby extending the instrument's
end-to-end simulation to also include the (significant!) impact of
detector effects on scientific data. These simulations will directly
support the WST detector trade-off quantifying the impact of detector
physics on the survey performance. These simulations may be extended to
detectors currently under test at ESO for future instrumentation.
The simulations will be conducted using the Pyxel detector simulation
framework: which is written in Python. This framework is developed and
supported by ESA and ESO is a contributor for detector models and
functions with inputs from the ESO detector group.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be involved in the following activities:
- Closely interacting with the detector engineers of the ESO
detector group to understand which detectors and effects are the most
important for science to be included in the simulations, specifically
for WST, where we need to analyse and evaluate the impact of the glow,
charge diffusion vs thickness, pixel response and other architecture
dependencies; - Coding in Python to implement said models and convenience functions
to fabricate 'Toy models' of the detectors. These can be integrated into
the end-to-end simulations for preliminary studies of detector
performance and/or trade-off or on the science impact that some
detector effects would have. For WST, these models will allow comparison
of candidates, technologies and operating conditions; - Participating in the detector characterisation test campaign with
members of ESO's detector group, with suggestions of datasets to be
acquired for the Pyxel model validation. This includes collecting
datasets explicitly selected to validate WST-specific detector effects
(e.g. glow, PRNU, diffusion tails, QE vs. thickness); - Regular meetings with the ESA Pyxel developers and with the instrument's simulator teams.
- The successful candidate should be comfortable in working with
Python. Python support will be available from the ESO detector group.
The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach
and willingness to adapt to operational needs are required.
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience
- Experience in object-oriented and scientific programming in Python (e.g. NumPy, SciPy or similar);
- Ability to develop physical model based on experimental data;
- Knowledge of CMOS detectors technologies;
- Understanding of the impact of detector characteristics on the scientific performance of astronomical instruments;
- Ability to work in the context of interdisciplinary and international collaborations.
Desirable Competences and Experience
- Experience in detector physics;
- Knowledge of CCD detector principles and technology;
- Experience with experimental detector characterization setups;
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g. Git).
Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a PhD in disciplines such as engineering, physics, astronomy or a related discipline by 1 October 2026.
Language skills:
The position requires an excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and
technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at: https://recruitment.eso.org. Applications must be completed in English and should include the following material:
- A Cover Letter of up to one page outlining relevant experience and motivation for the role;
- A CV including personal data, education, skills, expertise, and publication list;
- The position also requires two letters of reference to be submitted.
Once you have entered the names and contact details of your reference
persons in the web application form, they will automatically receive an
invitation to submit a recommendation letter. We strongly recommend
that you initiate these invitations well in advance of the application
deadline (this can be done even before you submit the final
application).
Deadline for applications is 22 May 2026.
Interviews are expected to be held soon after the deadline, towards the
end of May 2026, online via MS Teams.
Note from DCU Careers Service: It is essential to check all information at source. We advise applicants to use their own judgement and conduct their own research when selecting potential opportunities, employers or regions. You should check with overseas employers/organisations for full details of your contract and salary/stipends, as well as all costs associated with the position or programme including flights, accommodation and other travel costs, visas, insurance, placement fees, etc before accepting any offer. For working overseas, we would also recommend that you thoroughly research the region under consideration and check the travel advice about the country or region on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
Sectors
Sectors
The Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST: https://wstelescope.eu/,
arXiv:2403.05398) is an innovative 12-m class wide-field spectroscopic
telescope with simultaneous operation of a large field-of-view (3 sq.
degree) and high multiplex (30,000) multi-object spectrograph facility
with both medium and high resolution modes (MOS), and a giant panoramic
(3x3 sq. arcmin) integral field spectrograph (IFS).
WST is a Research and Innovation Action funded by the European Research
Executive Agency (REA) under the powers delegated by the European
Commission under Grant Agreement No. 101183153 - WST -
HORIZON-INFRA-2024-DEV-01.
Under this agreement, ESO is contributing, among other, to the WST
Detector Workpackage. Within this framework ESO is offering a
postdoctoral research position for the development of detector
simulations using the Pyxel environment (https://esa.gitlab.io/pyxel/page/introduction/).
For WST, the detector is one of the drivers of system performance, and a
full detector trade-off is currently ongoing (CCD vs CMOS, silicon
thickness and QE, operating temperature). The goal of this project is to
produce high-fidelity simulations of the actual detector readouts of
the instrument's focal plane, thereby extending the instrument's
end-to-end simulation to also include the (significant!) impact of
detector effects on scientific data. These simulations will directly
support the WST detector trade-off quantifying the impact of detector
physics on the survey performance. These simulations may be extended to
detectors currently under test at ESO for future instrumentation.
The simulations will be conducted using the Pyxel detector simulation
framework: which is written in Python. This framework is developed and
supported by ESA and ESO is a contributor for detector models and
functions with inputs from the ESO detector group.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be involved in the following activities:
- Closely interacting with the detector engineers of the ESO
detector group to understand which detectors and effects are the most
important for science to be included in the simulations, specifically
for WST, where we need to analyse and evaluate the impact of the glow,
charge diffusion vs thickness, pixel response and other architecture
dependencies; - Coding in Python to implement said models and convenience functions
to fabricate 'Toy models' of the detectors. These can be integrated into
the end-to-end simulations for preliminary studies of detector
performance and/or trade-off or on the science impact that some
detector effects would have. For WST, these models will allow comparison
of candidates, technologies and operating conditions; - Participating in the detector characterisation test campaign with
members of ESO's detector group, with suggestions of datasets to be
acquired for the Pyxel model validation. This includes collecting
datasets explicitly selected to validate WST-specific detector effects
(e.g. glow, PRNU, diffusion tails, QE vs. thickness); - Regular meetings with the ESA Pyxel developers and with the instrument's simulator teams.
- The successful candidate should be comfortable in working with
Python. Python support will be available from the ESO detector group.
The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach
and willingness to adapt to operational needs are required.
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience
- Experience in object-oriented and scientific programming in Python (e.g. NumPy, SciPy or similar);
- Ability to develop physical model based on experimental data;
- Knowledge of CMOS detectors technologies;
- Understanding of the impact of detector characteristics on the scientific performance of astronomical instruments;
- Ability to work in the context of interdisciplinary and international collaborations.
Desirable Competences and Experience
- Experience in detector physics;
- Knowledge of CCD detector principles and technology;
- Experience with experimental detector characterization setups;
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g. Git).
Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a PhD in disciplines such as engineering, physics, astronomy or a related discipline by 1 October 2026.
Language skills:
The position requires an excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and
technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at: https://recruitment.eso.org. Applications must be completed in English and should include the following material:
- A Cover Letter of up to one page outlining relevant experience and motivation for the role;
- A CV including personal data, education, skills, expertise, and publication list;
- The position also requires two letters of reference to be submitted.
Once you have entered the names and contact details of your reference
persons in the web application form, they will automatically receive an
invitation to submit a recommendation letter. We strongly recommend
that you initiate these invitations well in advance of the application
deadline (this can be done even before you submit the final
application).
Deadline for applications is 22 May 2026.
Interviews are expected to be held soon after the deadline, towards the
end of May 2026, online via MS Teams.
Note from DCU Careers Service: It is essential to check all information at source. We advise applicants to use their own judgement and conduct their own research when selecting potential opportunities, employers or regions. You should check with overseas employers/organisations for full details of your contract and salary/stipends, as well as all costs associated with the position or programme including flights, accommodation and other travel costs, visas, insurance, placement fees, etc before accepting any offer. For working overseas, we would also recommend that you thoroughly research the region under consideration and check the travel advice about the country or region on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
