Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee in Opto-Electronics and Quantum Engineering

The ESA National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programmes offer recent Master’s graduates the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience at ESA across a range of space-related disciplines. The programmes are essentially similar to ESA’s own Graduate Trainee Programme, notably in offering the same employment conditions. Each NGT Programme is funded by an individual ESA Member State or Associate Member under a bilateral partnership agreement concluded with ESA.

Luxembourgish National Graduate Trainee in Opto-Electronics and Quantum Engineering

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

A representative of the sponsoring State participates in the selection process. In addition to assessing candidates against the requirements of the position, the selection may also include an evaluation of their background and knowledge of the space policies and related activities of the sponsoring State.

Our team and mission

The Optoelectronics Section provides functional support to ESA projects and carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the field of optoelectronic device technologies and applications. In particular, the Optoelectronics Section deals with the specification, development and characterisation of photonic component subsystems and active optical instruments, such as detectors and lasers operating in the UV to FIR wavelength ranges, fibre-optic sensors, lidars, optical communication systems and quantum technologies. Our team is staffed with around 25 engineers supporting all ESA projects and offers a unique opportunity to contribute on the challenges related to optoelectronic technologies required for ESA missions, spacecraft, instruments and equipment. In addition, we develop laboratory test setups and simulation tools in the areas of imaging detectors, optical communication and quantum communication.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a National Graduate Trainee, depending on your interests, technical competences and project constraints, you will have the opportunity to support one or more of these developments:

• Development of simulation tools for optical or quantum communications systems
• Testbed development of advanced spaceborne optoelectronic applications (for optical or quantum communication, optical detectors and/or lasers)
• Integration and commissioning of upgraded laser induced contamination characterization setup
• Assembly and commissioning of an optoelectronics test bench for the characterization of scientific digital CMOS image sensors
• Calibrate and validate Lidar terminals for Guidance Navigation and Control and In-Orbit Servicing applications

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical and functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes and projects

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

You should have recently completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in physics or a relevant engineering discipline.

Additional requirements

Knowledge and background in working with optical laboratory setups (including lasers, detectors, free-space or fibre-based optics), real-time data acquisition or experience in programming and modelling (e.g. Python, MATLAB and LabView) or CAD would be an asset.

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Nationality and Languages

Applications can only be considered from nationals of or permanent residents of Luxembourg with the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member or Cooperating State.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.