The Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) invites applications for a PhD Position in Astronomy (Unifying the three pillars of geodesy using space ties (SPACE TIE) in 2019. This is in response to the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant Call 2018 of the Horizon 2020 European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
Project details
SPACE TIE shall pave the way to unify the “three pillars” of Geodesy in future realizations of the terrestrial reference frame by connecting satellite geodetic techniques, in particular, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), by co-location sites in space. These so-called space ties shall be realized on satellites of the currently existing space infrastructure, as well as on satellites due for launch in the near future. This includes the Medium Earth Orbits (MEO) of the GNSS satellites and, in particular, satellites in Low Earth Orbits (LEO) with GNSS and SLR co-located on-board. To maximize the sensitivity to the Earth’s gravity field, the ultra-precise inter-satellite ranging between LEO satellites of dedicated gravity missions shall be added as a third satellite geodetic technique.
LEO satellites will be the key to access the Earth’s time-variable gravity field in the overall SPACE TIE objectives. The tasks of the PhD candidate will focus on a rigorous GNSS pro-cessing to determine geodetic parameters from both, terrestrial and spaceborne, GNSS data in one and the same parameter estimation process. Significant effort shall be devoted to assess the impact of undifferenced carrier phase ambiguity resolution techniques and antenna calibration techniques for GNSS transmitter and spaceborne receiver antennas of dedicated gravity, altimetry, and further constellations of Earth observation satellites. The activities will be performed in collaboration with the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE), one of the global analysis centres of the International GNSS Service (IGS).
Worth of Award
- The PhD project is scheduled for four years. The salary follows the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation for PhD positions.
- The candidate should start working in Bern on January 03rd, 2020.
Eligibility
- The candidate is expected to have successfully completed a master thesis (diploma/”Lizentiat”) in astronomy, geodesy, physics, mathematics, or a related topic.
- Experience in GNSS data processing or using the Bernese GNSS Software package, and in computer science (coding in Fortran90, C++, Python, or Perl) are not a requirement, but an advantage.
- The candidate should speak and write English fluently.
- The University of Bern is an equal opportunity employer and encourages in particular women to apply for open positions.
How to Apply
- Applications for the PhD Position Astronomy (including CV, university diploma copies, record of study, possible references) should be received no later than the deadline to Prof. Jäggi.
- Informal inquiries may be obtained at both of the addresses below.
Prof. Dr. Adrian Jäggi
Space Tie Principal Investigator
[email protected]
Prof. Dr. Rolf Dach
CODE Director
[email protected]
University of Bern
Sidlerstrasse 5
CH-3012 Bern
Switzerland
Deadline: Applications close on September 10th, 2019.