Missions

The Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM) is recruiting a research engineer to participate in the development of the planet candidate filtering prototype and its scientific evaluation for the PLATO mission (including documentation and follow-up integration meetings).
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable 2 times.

Activités

- Further development of the Vetting prototype (identification of false positives) with the implementation of a robust architecture.
- Optimize candidate validation and ranking algorithms.
- Continue performance evaluation on a large population of astrophysical configurations.
- Complexify the population of simulated configurations with cases of multi-planetary systems, and evaluate the robustness and performance of Vetting algorithms.
- Prepare the scientific evaluation of EAS.
- Prepare the adjustment of decision thresholds based on PLATO data from the first observation quarter.
- Participate in EAS pipeline definition and integration meetings (in France and abroad, including Cambridge and Gottingen).
- Participate in various working meetings with project partners.
- Participate in writing project documents.

Compétences

- Solid expertise in exoplanet science.
- Solid skills in high-precision photometry.
- Knowledge of statistics and numerical methods.
- Knowledge of Deep Learning would be a plus.
- In-depth knowledge of Python programming.
- Knowledge of production and virtualization methods (Git, GitLab CI, Docker) would be a plus.
- Interest in handling scientific data.
- Taste for teamwork.
- Initiative and imagination to propose innovative solutions to problems encountered.
- Fluency in written and spoken English essential.
Diploma required : PhD in astrophysics, or state-approved engineering diploma.

Contexte de travail

The position at LAM is part of the preparations for the European Space Agency's PLATO M3 mission, scheduled for launch in December 2026. Its aim is to discover and characterize exoplanets, particularly those in their star's habitable zone. In this context, the LAM is responsible for providing the various algorithms for identifying false positives (Vetting) adapted to the specificities of PLATO, the probabilistic evaluation of their nature (stellar or planetary) and their classification by scientific interest. An initial prototype has been set up, providing specifications for the Exoplanet Analysis System (EAS) data analysis pipeline, which ensures detection, filtering of false positives and complete modeling of planetary systems. We now need to finalize the prototype, continue to evaluate different algorithms and study certain improvements using more modern numerical methods than the current conventional approach. The delivery schedule follows that of the EAS development and test campaigns. After the review of the ground segment implementation, the adjustment of the decision thresholds in Vetting and Grading for the EAS will be prepared on the basis of PLATO data for the first quarter.
The CDD will have at his/her disposal the prototype we have already built at the LAM, which has enabled us to supply the EAS with initial sets of algorithms. It will also have at its disposal the mission simulator, installed on the LAM cluster, and the environment that enables us to generate realistic simulated PLATO data. He will work in close collaboration with M. Deleuil and S. Sulis at LAM and the EAS managers who implement the corresponding modules in the pipeline. This is a PSM function interfacing closely with the PDC, requiring availability and flexibility to adapt software to instrument evolutions and tests to project agendas. The WPs to which these tasks are linked are: WP113000 and WP363000.

Contraintes et risques

Possible travel (France and abroad) to attend project meetings.