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The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen is one of the world's leading research institutions in the fields of solar physics and planetary research, with approximately 300 employees. The interdisciplinary research focus lies in the investigation of the development, diversity, and dynamics of planets, moons, small bodies, the sun, and solar-like stars. MPS develops and operates scientific instruments for current and future space missions (e.g., ESA, NASA) and conducts cosmochemical laboratory investigations of meteorites as well as numerical modeling on state-of-the-art supercomputers.

For the development of the Photospheric Magnetic field Imager PMI (https://www.mps.mpg.de/pmi) for the ESA’s Vigil mission (https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Vigil), the institute is looking for a

Instrument Operations Scientist (f/m/d)

Your Tasks

As instrument operations scientist you will work as part of the operations team on the preparation of the infrastructure for commanding the PMI/Vigil instrument during ground tests and inflight operations. You will work in close collaboration with the project team and external partners and support sub-system-level and end-to-end tests of the instrument. The later includes definition and performance of instrument calibration activities, both on-ground and inflight, as well as the preparation and application of calibration data products.

Your Qualification

• University degree (PhD, Master or equivalent) preferably in astrophysics, aerospace engineering, or in a related discipline
• Skills in image and signal processing
• Knowledge of astrophysical telescopes; ability for understanding complex optical systems
• Background in astrophysical and spectro-polarimetric research
• Basic knowledge in operating space instruments
• Good communication skills
• Fluency in English

Advantageous would be

• Experience with ESA projects in commissioning or operations phase
• Good knowledge of German

Our Offer

• Comprehensive onboarding, professional development and further training opportunities
• Diverse and varied tasks in an international work
  environment
• Remuneration according to TVöDBund, based on qualifications and experience, annual bonus and additional pension scheme (VBL)
• 30 days of vacation plus 4 additional days off
• Full-time and part-time employment; flexible working time and possibility of mobile work
• Collaboration with local bilingual Montessori child care center
• Good public transport connection
• Corporate health management

Additional Information

• The advertised position is initially limited to 2 years and should be filled as soon as possible.
• The position is rated in acccordance to public service act (TVöD-Bund) as EG 13.
• The social benefits correspond to the regulations for the public service (federal government).
• We offer you a varied and interesting range of tasks in an international scientific working environment, as well as opportunities for professional development. In addition, we offer you opportunities to reconcile work and family life as well as health promotion programmes.
• Application deadline is June 05, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your informative application documents (cover letter, resume, diploma, and, if available, employment reference letters). Please submit these via the digital application portal (https://www.mps.mpg.de/career/jobs). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact J. Hirzberger (hirzberger@mps.mpg.de, +49 551 384 979-409).

The Max Planck Society endeavours to achieve gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.