University of Bern Descrizione del progetto
Genesis - CH Senior Reseach Assistant
Start Date As soon as possible
Employment Relationship 100%, fixed-term
Institution / Workplace
Bern
Open Position at the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern
The Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for the national initiative Genesis-CH to support the preparation of the Bernese GNSS Software for the rigorous data processing of ESA's co-location in space mission Genesis, which is currently scheduled for launch in 2028. In the frame of Genesis-CH, funding will be available for a Senior Research Assistant
Objective
The main objective of ESA's Genesis mission is to realize an ultra-stable, global Earth-fixed coordinate system (aiming for 1 mm accuracy and 0.1 mm/year stability necessary to monitor climate change relevant processes). The Genesis satellite will combine the four space geodetic techniques, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS, like GPS), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), on a highly calibrated and stable platform. The adequate
analysis of these mission data requires significant upgrades and developments in scientific software packages, like for instance the Bernese GNSS Software maintained and used at AIUB.
The position of the Senior Research Assistant is scheduled for two years and will coordinate the significant amount of software modifications, that need to be done in parallel. In this context, the development environment and process used at AIUB shall be reviewed and advanced where necessary. In the frame of this project a number of decisions have to be taken (regarding, e.g., software design, data handling, High Performance Computing, HPC), where professional input from a software engineer is welcome. The activities will also include contacts to external partner institutions such as the Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie (BKG), Germany, the Research Institute of Geodesy, Cartography and Topography (VUGTK), Czech Republic, and the
Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. The planned developments will be performed in close exchange with ESA's Genesis Science Exploitation Team and the IAG/IERS Joint Working Group, where IAG is the International Association of Geodesy and IERS stands for International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service.
Education
The candidate is expected to have successfully completed a Master or Ph.D. thesis in computer science, astronomy, geodesy, physics, or a related topic. Experience in software engineering (we use modern Fortran, C++, Python, and Perl) is mandatory, a background in space geodetic data analyses, ideally using the Bernese GNSS Software package, is beneficial. The candidate should speak and write English fluently.
The candidate should start working in Bern as soon as possible.
The position is scheduled for two years with an option for an extension to three years. The salary follows the guidelines of the University of Bern and depends on the qualification of the successful candidate.
Your Benefits
- International reputation
- High degree of creative freedom in an academic setting
- Central location in the heart of Bern
- Collaborative environment and ambitious team
Working at the University of Bern
The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us.
Application and Contact
Applications (including CV, university diploma copies, record of study, possible references) should be received as soon as possible but no later than November 15, 2026 at the following address:
Prof. Dr. Adrian Jäggi
Genesis-CH PI
Astronomical Institute
University of Bern
Sidlerstrasse 5
CH-3012 Bern
Switzerland
Phone: +41 31 684 85 96
E-mail: adrian.jaeggi@unibe.ch
Questions about the position?
Prof. Dr. Rolf Dach
Phone: +41 31 684 85 93
E-mail: rolf.dach@unibe.ch
Questions about the application?
Prof. Dr. Adrian Jäggi
Phone: +41 31 684 85 96
E-mail: adrian.jaeggi@unibe.ch
