Genesis-CH: Senior Research Assistant

The Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) is receiving funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for the project 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 2029. In the frame of Genesis-CH funding will be available for an Senior Research Assistant.

The main objective of ESA’s Genesis mission is to contribute to the achievement of the accura-cy and stability goals of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) concerning the realization of the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS), aiming for 1 mm and 0.1 mm/year, respectively. To this aim, the Genesis mission will provide in-orbit co-location of the four space geodetic techniques, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), on a highly calibrated and stable platform. This requires significant upgrades and developments in scientific software packages to consistently process and combine the Genesis data of all four space geodetic techniques together with the data of the respective terrestrial ground networks.

The position is scheduled for two years and will focus on the implementation of dedicated VLBI processing models into the Bernese GNSS Software maintained at AIUB. In collaboration with Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie (BKG) and TU München, Germany, the AIUB is currently extending the Bernese GNSS Software to process classical VLBI data. The candidate shall focus on the extension for VLBI to satellites as offered by the Genesis mission. The planned developments will be performed in close exchange with ESA’s Genesis Science Exploitation Team and the IAG/IERS Joint Working Group on Genesis.

Education:
The candidate is expected to have successfully completed a Master or Ph.D. thesis in astronomy, geodesy, physics, computer science, or a related topic. Experience in computer science (coding in modern Fortran, C++, Python, or Perl) is mandatory, a background in space geodetic data analyses, ideally in geodetic VLBI, 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.

Application:
Applications (including CV, university diploma copies, record of study, possible references) should be received as soon as possible but no later than August 31, 2026 at the following (first) 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:

Prof. Dr. Rolf Dach
CODE Director
Astronomical Institute
University of Bern
Sidlerstrasse 5
CH-3012 Bern
Switzerland

Phone: +41 31 684 85 93
E-mail:

Informal inquiries may be obtained at both of the above addresses.

An equal opportunity environment is important to us, and we welcome applicants from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy. We will be particularly pleased to receive applications from women or from persons with a disability for the advertised position.