The Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) seeks a scientific collaborator in the framework of its activities aiming at the exploitation of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) for applications related to geophysics and metrology.

ROB presently exploits the signals emitted by the American GPS satellites to observe the long term ground deformations and the comparison of atomic clocks. Europe is presently developing it own satellite navigation system whose name is Galileo. Already 4 satellites are operational and 20 additional ones should be launched during the two coming years.

The candidate will have to contribute to the developments of GPS and Galileo data analysis techniques, in order to (1) allow a precise determination of short term (some seconds) ground deformations and (2) adapt these techniques to the use of the very precise signal offered by the Galileo system.

The candidate will have to learn the software tool Atomium, developed at the ROB for GNSS data analysis. An important part of its activities will consist in programming (Fortran, Perl). Taste and skills in that domain are thus requested. Finally, the candidate will have to contribute to the edaction of scientific reports and publications.

We search for

The ideal candidate combines several of the following characteristics:

• a licence or a master in mathematics, physics, computer science or equivalent;
• scientific and critical thinking;
• a knowledge in programming (Fortran, perl) or alternatively, an interest and ability to learn by himself these languages;
• Knowledge of satellite navigation systems;
• ability to integrate and work in a team;
• ability to speak, read and write in English.

We offer

We offer a fixed term contract of 1 year. The workplace is the Royal Observatory of Belgium, a federal institution located in Uccle, south of Brussels. Function is open in the SW1 class. The salary scale is related to state employee scaleand governed by the regulations in force for the scientific career contract.

How to apply

Send your CV along with a letter of motivation and 1 or 2 references (all in PDF format) before 20 October 2013 to pascale.defraigne@oma.be, (+ copy to nicolas.bergeot@oma.be).

The selected candidate can start on 15 November 2013, depending on his availability.