Mechanical engineer for space-based instrumentation: eXTP

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 has been 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/en/home) are PIs of the WFM, and also responsible of the coded masks and the mechanical structure of the cameras (collimator and detector box). Expected launch date is 2027. 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, ready to start Phase B2 after the forthcoming I-SRR (Instrument -System Requirements Review), expected to take place in fall 2020, under coordination of CAS and ESA.

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. Knowledge of software for mechanical design and analysis, e.g., NASTRAN, is required, as well as good level of English language.

The mechanical engineer will also be responsible of studying the materials and suppliers for the WFM cameras subsystems above mentioned, in coordination with industry, taking into account restrictions of export control to China. During phase B2, it is also expected that demonstration models of the WFM subsystems are built; the mechanical engineer will be in charge of the coordination between industry and ICE-CSIC & IEEC for such tasks.

Contract:

Starting date: full time contract, starting as soon as possible (October-November 2020)

Duration: until the end of the current Spanish Ministry - MICINN - funded project about eXTP (December 2021, extended to August 2022) got by our group, but new funded projects for at least 3 more years are envisioned, if the eXTP project goes ahead as expected.

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 the same email address. Deadline: mid-September 2020. The position will be open until filled.