Postdoc in Satellite Laser Ranging

Postdoc in Satellite Laser Ranging

Austrian Academy of Sciences

Graz, Austria

The successful candidate will join the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) group and will investigate data analysis techniques as an input for orbit determination, prediction and characterization of satellites and space debris. Besides SLR measurements, the group performs space debris laser ranging (SDLR) and single photon light curves (LC) measurements, characterizing sunlight reflections of space objects. The IWF can thereby rely on historical data dating back more than 20 years. Special emphasis of the candidate will be put on the utilization of machine learning, new observation technologies (e.g. MHz laser ranging), and the combined usage of data from different observation sources (data fusion). The candidate with work in close cooperation with IWF’s machine learning experts.

Your Tasks

• Analysis and post-processing of SLR, SDLR and LC data as an input for orbit determination;
• Utilization of machine learning approaches for novel processing techniques;
• Investigation of automation approaches for post-processing, real-time observations, observation tasking;
• Improvement of IWF’s data catalogue, setting up an interface to existing orbit determination tools;
• Exploitation of IWF data for scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Your Profile

• The applicant must hold a PhD in Physics, Satellite Geodesy, Computer Science or closely related fields;
• Software development and programming expertise (Python and/or C++);
• Experience in data analysis of large datasets, background in machine learning;
• Experience in scientific publishing.

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