Research Associate (PhD or Postdoc position) at Lunar & Planetary Exploration

The Chair of Lunar and Planetary Exploration at TUM offers a position dedicated to the ESA-funded Rover Permittivity Sensor

Research Associate (PhD or Postdoc position), Chair of Lunar & Planetary Exploration

01.12., Academic staff

The Chair of Lunar and Planetary Exploration at TUM invites applications for a Research Associate at the

level of TV-L E13 (%, public sector pay scale). The position is dedicated to the ESA-funded Rover

Permittivity Sensor. The expected starting date is February , with an initial contract limited to 2 years

and a possible extension.

About us :

We are strongly dedicated to improving the understanding of the lunar water cycle, with many applications in

the field of solar system science and exploration. To this end, we combine both numerical modelling and

experimental methods and develop instrumentation to characterise water in situ on the lunar surface. We are

currently involved in several flight instrument developments for the European Space Agency, one of which is

the Rover Permittivity Sensor (RPS).

Your tasks :

For RPS, we are developing a sensor suite to measure the electrical

permittivity and temperature of lunar regolith, supporting the search for

water on the Moon. RPS will be part of the Rashid-3 rover by MBRSC (UAE)

and is expected to be launched to the Moon in . Your tasks will include

instrument development from TRL 5 to 8, test and characterisation of the

instrument performance in a relevant environment (thermal-vacuum),

scientific analysis and publication of the results, and contributing to the

project management. The focus of your tasks will lie on the infrared sensing

unit of RPS to determine the temperature of the surface regolith.

Our offer :

We offer the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in an academic

environment at one of Europe's top universities. You will work in a team of

highly motivated researchers, in an ambitious project aiming towards a

Moon mission. You will have the opportunity to engage in the international

research community, present your work at international conferences, and

publish in leading journals. Through its Graduate Centre and Talent Factory,

TUM supports PhD students and Postdocs by providing a dedicated

qualification program, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration and

networking opportunities.

We look for

• a team player with the ability to work independently with an

excellent master's (or doctoral) degree in aerospace, mechanical engineering, robotics, applied

physics, planetary science, or related fields,

Application :

Please send your CV and relevant university and work certificates in one pdf-file to .

We look forward to receiving your application as soon as possible and no later than 15 December .

As an equal opportunity employer, TUM explicitly encourages applications from women and all others who

would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university. Preference will be given to disabled candidates

with essentially the same qualifications.