Missions

The successful applicant will contribute to defining the conceptual architecture and design of the low-resolution multi-object spectrograph (LR-MOS) for an innovative 12-m class wide-field spectroscopic telescope (WST, www.wstelescope.com). WST is a major instrumentation project with the potential to shape European ground-based astronomy in the 2040s, 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. The WST consortium has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe Framework Program. Continuation of employment is contingent upon program and operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable regulations.

Activités

• Engaging in discussions among project consortium members focused on the global design of the WST observatory, considering scientific requirements and operational concepts.
• Negotiating interfaces and identifying options for instrumental concepts.
• Developing preliminary optical designs for quantitative trade-off studies, along with detailed design and analysis of selected options regarding optical layout, opto-mechanical tolerances, and implementation.
• Composing reports and contributing to scientific and technical publications that document the design study.

Compétences

• PhD from an accredited college or university in optical instrumentation for astronomy or a related field.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of optical systems design, with a deep understanding of optical aberration theory and computer-aided optimization and analysis.
• Practical experience in the design and analysis of complex optical systems within the context of instrumental research or development.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.

Contexte de travail

The successful applicant will be a member of the Optics Department at Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory (LAM, https://www.lam.fr/) and will work with the head of the department (Kjetil Dohlen) and the WST consortium. The LAM, one of the largest astrophysical laboratories in France, has research teams studying the Universe and its evolution covering themes ranging from the solar system to exoplanets, stars, galaxies and cosmology. The LAM also leads or participates in the development and construction of instrumentation for astronomy, both for ground-based telescopes (VLT, Subaru, ELT...) and space-based missions (HST, Rosetta, Herschel, Euclid, HWO...).

Contraintes et risques

The mission may involve some travel in France and Europe.