Context:

The eXTP (enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission) is a science space mission aimed to study the state of matter under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism (https://www.isdc.unige.ch/extp/). 

Its phase A was already approved by CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and by ESA (European Space Agency) in October 2019. Europe is providing the Wide Field Monitor (WFM), a coded mask instrument and the Large Area Detector (LAD). We at ICE-CSIC (see http://www.ice.csic.es/) and IEEC http://www.ieec.cat lead the WFM instrument (M. Hernanz is the PI), and we are also specifically responsible of the coded masks and the mechanical structure of the cameras (collimator and detector box). The eXTP LAD and WFM instruments are based on the heritage of the feasibility study of LOFT, performed by us for ESA up to 2013 (ESA M3 call). eXTP is now in phase B, specifically in Phase B2 after the successful I-SRR (Instrument -System Requirements Review), that took place in April 2023, coordinated by ASI and Spain, with the participation of ESA.

STROBE-X (https://strobe-x.org) is a probe-class observatory designed for X-ray timing and spectroscopy in the (0.2–30 keV) band, including two instruments based on the LAD & WFM of LOFT and eXTP. A proposal to NASA PROBE missions call (to be issued soon) will be presented by the US team, with participation of Spain for the WFM. We already participated on the design of the WFM for STROBE-X in a proposal by NASA for the US Decadal Survey.

Specific tasks:

The mechanical engineer will work in the optimization of the mechanical design of the WFM: coded mask assembly, collimator, detector and front-end electronics housing box, already quite advanced. Knowledge of software for mechanical design and analysis, e.g., NASTRAN, is expected, as well as good level of English language. 

The mechanical engineer will also be responsible of following the study already ongoing of the materials and suppliers for the WFM cameras subsystems, mentioned above, in coordination with industry, and taking into account restrictions of export control to China. During current phase B2, the ongoing development of the demonstration models of the WFM subsystems will be continued and finished at the PDR (Preliminary Design Review), with also the preparation and running of some specific tests. The mechanical engineer will be in charge of the coordination between industry and ICE-CSIC for such tasks. 

Work is done in the framework of a large an international collaboration, with several EU countries (Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Switzerland, Turkey) and with China.

Contract: 

Full time contract, starting as soon as possible (starting September 2023 if possible).

Duration: 1 to 2 years initially, to be extended later.

Contact: 

Application, including a CV and a letter of motivation, should be sent to Prof. Margarita Hernanz, PI of the WFM (hernanz@ice.csic.es). For more information, use this same email address. The position will be open until filled