Mars seismometer

Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research

Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

Description

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany, (http://www.mps.mpg.de) wants to hire for an initial period of three years an experienced Seismologist as project scientist for a contribution to a seismometer experiment on Mars. The MPS is in charge for the development of the deployment and leveling system for a broadband seismometer, which will be carried by the NASA mission INSIGHT to the surface of Mars. The planned launch date is in March 2016 and the seismometer is expected to deliver data from October 2016 to at least August 2018.

Requirements

Applicants should have a university degree in geophysics, physics, or a related field, good knowledge of seismology in general and experience in instrumentation and practical aspects of seismology. A PhD degree is desirable. Applicants must be able to lead a scientific project and to work in an international team of scientists and engineers. Aside from assisting the instrument development and overseeing calibration and test activities, the applicant is expected to prepare for analysis and interpretation of the expected data in coordination with the international team.

More information and applications

Pending on funding by the German Space Agency, the starting date can be April, 1, 2013 or later. The salary will be according to group E13 in the salary scheme of the Federal German public service. In case of exceptional experience and expertise salary group E14 would be possible. The contract will be time-limited until June 2016. An extension until the end of the INSIGHT mission is possible and anticipated in case of success. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply. Applications must be directed until 20.01.2013 to:

Prof. Dr. U. Christensen

Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung

Max-Planck-Straße 2, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

Specific information can be requested by email: christensen@mps.mpg.de