Astronomical Instrumentation Postdoc or Senior Research Assistant

About the position

The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute, University of Bern invites applications for a Postdoc or Senior Research Assistant (80-100%) to work on astronomical instrumentation.
The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidate will work in the space weather group, which focuses on understanding solar and stellar flares. This position is initially part of an ERC project with the goal of building a unique instrument to measure the full visible spectrum of flares. The first stellar prototype is already installed at the University's own observatory in Zimmerwald (80 cm telescope). The solar instrument version is in the design phase and planned to be used as a guest instrument. The goal of this position is to contribute to the design, review, and commissioning as part of our instrumentation team. The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to be involved in our adaptive optics project and further scientific work.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with experience in astronomical instrumentation, in particular optics, instrument design, and spectrographs. You will be part of a research group of >10 people that combines instrumentation, machine learning, observations and models to answer questions such as "When and where will a flare occur? What are the origins and mechanisms of solar flares and stellar superflares?". This position includes management duties for documentation, reviews, and our optics lab.

Requirements and Appointment

• PhD degree in physics, astronomy, or a similar discipline.
• Experience with astronomical instrumentation, preferably also in spectropolarimetry, optical design, or integral field imaging.
• Experience in programming with Python, further programming languages are considered an asset. Knowledge of Code V or Zemax is beneficial.
• Knowledge of ground- and space-based solar or stellar observations.
• Experience with project management and reviews (PDR/CDR).
• Teamplayer who likes to work with other group members and students.

The successful candidate will be expected to start in Bern after March 1, 2027, upon mutual agreement.
• Postdoc positions are initially budgeted for 2 years with annual contracts, with possibility for extension.
• Senior research assistant positions are renewed annually upon satisfactory performance.
The hiring level will be determined according to the candidate's previous experience and preferences. Senior candidates will be asked to manage the instrumentation group and further instrumentation projects and will be able to expand their teaching portfolio, with the prospect of becoming the deputy leader for the whole research group, and to qualify for a future permanent position in the institute.

Information

The deadline for applications is November 29, 2026 via email to L. Kleint, containing (as one pdf file):
• CV
• a list of publications
• motivation letter for this specific position, addressing the requirements above.
• max. 2-page research statement describing past research and ideas for future research that would fit with our project.
• the names of 3 references that can be contacted.

Salary is based on the regulations of the University of Bern and your experience, starting at 91/103/121 (Early Postdoc / Advanced Postdoc / Senior Research Assistant) kCHF/year.

An equal opportunity environment is important to us, and we welcome applicants from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy. We will be particularly pleased to receive applications from women for the advertised position.