Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung Atmosphärische Spurengase und Fernerkundung (IMKASF)

Job description

You will develop remote sensing instruments for atmospheric research. The remote sensing instruments will be used on high-altitude aircraft, stratospheric balloons, and, in the future, satellites. In your work, you will be part of an experienced interdisciplinary development team of scientists and engineers at KIT and other research institutions.

As part of this role, you will

• Create technical requirements for remote sensing instruments for atmospheric research (especially iFTS) based on scientific questions
• Design the concept and optical design of the instruments and develop them using Ansys Zemax Optical Studio and/or Code V
• Evaluate the feasibility and achievable scientific performance of the instruments
• Support the mechanical design and construction of the instruments
• Model and characterize the properties of the instruments
• Participate in the scientific and technical organization of measurement campaigns and missions
• Participate in integration into the carrier, on-site characterization, and support of measurement flights
• Evaluate the performance of the instrument after the measurement missions, and participate in the necessary further development
• Maintain the internal technical documentation of instrument development and prepare technical and scientific publications
• Participate in the preparation of funding applications for scientific projects, developments, and measurement campaigns at various organizations
• Supervise bachelor's and master's students as well as doctoral candidates

Starting date

01.03.2026

You have:

• A university degree (master's/diploma) in physics and several years of relevant professional experience in an experimental field related to optics; preferably with a doctorate in physics.
• Alternatively, a completed scientific university degree (master's/diploma (university)) with a doctorate in optics and photonics or in aerospace engineering with additional knowledge of optics
• Alternatively, a completed scientific university degree (master's/diploma) in physics, optics and photonics or aerospace engineering with many years of professional experience in the field of optics/measuring instrument development
• Basic knowledge of atmospheric physics and meteorology
• Familiarity with the use of optical simulation programs (e.g., Ansys ZEMAX or Code V)
• Familiarity with scientific tools for programming and data interpretation (e.g., Python or Matlab)
• Ability and willingness to work constructively in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams
• Communication and organizational skills
• Good written and spoken English
• Ability and willingness to participate in measurement or integration campaigns (e.g., in the Arctic or the tropics)