Research Engineer

Job offer:

Research Engineer – High-Performance Data Acquisition for Quantum Astrophysics

About the project

It is thought that more than 95 % of the stars in our Universe will end their life as a White Dwarf: the last stage of stellar evolution before thermal death. Stars produce energy by burning nuclei by nuclear fusion. Starting from hydrogen, they produce heavier elements due to the high temperature generated by the gravitational pressure. If the mass of the star is not high enough to reach temperatures that allow the fusion of elements beyond carbon and oxygen, an inert core starts to develop. In this situation, the gravitational collapse cannot be supported by the heat from fusion: the star decreases its diameter until gravity is supported by the electron degeneracy, ultimately provided by the fermion’s statistics and the Pauli exclusion principle. The white dwarf, an extremely dense and hot macroscopic quantum-mechanical object, will end its life by tending to thermal equilibrium with the rest of the Universe, by radiating its remaining heat.

The aim of our project is to directly measure the diameter of a white dwarf for the first time, contrasting the foundations of physics: quantum mechanics and relativity predictions.

About the research group

Our research group is hosted at the Intitut de Physique de Nice (INPHYNI) and at the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Université Côte d’Azur. We are the pioneers in using modern quantum optics techniques to produce astrophysical measurements. In our group, we develop novel tools to probe fundamental physics through astronomical observations.

About the position

We are looking for a proactive engineer with strong problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to independently learn and apply new technologies towards ambitious scientific goals. The successful candidate will design and deploy at astronomical observatories the complete data acquisition chain for state-of-the-art single-photon detectors, from timing electronics and synchronization to high-throughput software pipelines. The systems will be developed and operated in close collaboration with physicists and engineers at astronomical telescopes, in cutting-edge research in astrophysics.

Main responsibilities

• Design, develop and characterize high-performance data acquisition (DAQ) systems for single-photon detectors.
• Design and implement scalable data management solutions for the acquisition, storage, indexing, and retrieval of experimental datasets, handling sustained data rates of several terabytes per day.
• Implementation of networking solutions for high-throughput, low-latency data transfer.
• Develop precise timing and synchronization systems for distributed DAQ architectures, including clock distribution and timestamping with picosecond-level precision.
• Design and implement high-performance data processing and analysis pipelines in C++, developing computationally efficient algorithms for both real-time and offline data analysis.
• Develop software tools for monitoring, control, diagnostics, and performance evaluation of DAQ systems deployed at astronomical observatories, ensuring reliable operation during scientific observations.
• Participation in the deployment, commissioning, and operation of instruments at telescope sites (Hawaii, Chile).
• Job responsibility according to seniority level.

Required qualifications

• Background in Physics, Electronics, Computer Engineering or related fields.
• Experience with electronic instrumentation and precision measurements.
• Mastery in C++ and Python programming.
• Experience with Linux and computer networks.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred qualifications. Assets, but not required

• Time synchronization and clock distribution.
• CERN/ROOT data analysis framework.
• Optical instrumentation and Single-photon detectors.
• FPGA programming and implementation.

What we offer

• On-site position based at Nice, France.
• Salary according to demonstrable experience .
• Exciting environment: cutting-edge instrumentation for state-of-the-art scientific objectives.
• Opportunity to publish and conference travel.
• One-year contract with possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement.

Application procedure

Submit the following documents:

• Cover letter (1 page max). Include a second page with contact information of previous supervisors that we could reach to ask them about you..
• CV (2 pages max).

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR7010-WILGUE-013/Default.aspx?lang=EN