Vacancy-ID: 5257
Place of work: Oberpfaffenhofen
Starting date: baldmöglichst
Career level: Graduates; Experienced professionals
Type of employment: Full-time; Part time
Duration of contract: 3 Jahre
Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)
The Institute of Communications and Navigation, with sites in Oberpfaffenhofen and Neustrelitz, is dedicated to mission-oriented research in selcted areas of communications and navigation. These are embedded in the DLR programmes on space, aviation, transport and security.
What to expect
The Optical Technologies for Satellite Links group conducts research in the field of high-throughput optical satellite links and transceiver development. This encompasses topics ranging from research into atmospheric turbulence and the signal processing techniques to the development of high-speed communication technologies and systems. The group focuses on the development of theoretical models and concepts, as well as their practical experimental validation. The group also deals with the implementation and experimental validation of PNT-relevant functions for time transfer at the picosecond and millimeter level, with a focus on future GNSS developments and improved synchronisation properties of optical satellite links for the upcoming 6G systems.
Your tasks
- Detailed characterisation and fault analysis of optical components (e.g. fibre splices, modulators, detectors, timing electronics) to identify and minimise sources of jitter, drift and systematic deviations
- Optimisation of system performance through iterative calibration, environmental compensation and noise suppression to achieve accuracy in the picosecond or millimetre range
- Planning, execution and documentation of demonstration and measurement campaigns to validate optical time transfer and distance measurement systems under controlled laboratory conditions as well as under real-world conditions
- Development and implementation of advanced calibration procedures for optical time and distance measurement systems to ensure traceability to a defined reference point on a payload
- Conducting uncertainty analysis and statistical evaluation of measurement data to validate system accuracy and support metrological certifications
- Actively tracking the latest developments in optical metrology, quantum time measurement and future technologies (e.g. satellite-based optical time transfer, chip-based frequency combs) to drive innovation in laboratory experiments
Your profile
- A completed university degree (Master’s/Diploma) in the natural sciences (e.g. physics) or engineering (e.g. electrical engineering/electronics, communications engineering, telecommunications, mechatronics, etc.) or other degree programmes relevant to the role
- Relevant knowledge of optical modulation techniques
- Relevant knowledge of PNT functions and procedures in GNSS
- Relevant knowledge of optoelectronic systems and sensors
- Practical expertise in calibration procedures, uncertainty analysis and precision measuring instruments (e.g. oscilloscopes, photodetectors, FPGAs)
- Good programming skills, e.g. in Matlab/Python or C++
- Fluent written and spoken English
Remuneration depends on qualifications and job assignment up to pay grad 13 TVöD.
We look forward to getting to know you!
If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 5257) please contact:
Dr. Christian Fuchs
Tel.: +49 8153 28 1547
