Research Fellow - Department of Physics | Te Kura Mātai Ahupūngao – fixed term - 26 months
Core
Principal operator of a free-space optical communications ground station, maximizing satellite optical downlink opportunities and coordinating multi-site network experiments.
Role type
Senior IC experimental physicist (optical communications)
Builds
Operational capability for satellite laser communications and coordinated optical ground-station network demonstrations
Domain
Space systems / Free-space optical communications
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
Operating complex scientific instrumentation, planning time-critical field campaigns, analyzing quantitative experimental data, coordinating multi-institutional research, diagnosing hardware/instrumentation problems, scientific data analysis (Python/MATLAB), telescope operation, satellite pass planning
Preferred skills
Operating robotic observatories, free-space optical/laser communications, communications-system metrics, Linux-based scientific systems, laser safety, training facility operators
Technologies
Python, MATLAB, DLR telescope, Focaloptics Assembly, optical receiver systems
Responsibilities
Operating telescope and receiver instrumentation, maintaining operational readiness via calibration and testing, planning and conducting satellite-pass campaigns, coordinating experiments with other AOGSN nodes, analyzing link performance metrics, producing technical reports and publications, developing operational procedures, training students and operators
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC
