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City:  Ettlingen
Date:  Aug 20, 2025

Optical Engineer in Adaptive Optics (all genders)

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. 

The Department Signatorics at the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation (IOSB) in Ettlingen is offering a full-time position on the subject of adaptive optics (AO).


The position is based in the Adaptive Optics Group, where research activities focus on laser propagation through turbulence (particularly along horizontal paths and in strong turbulence) and free-space laser communications. Notable research achievements include the development of a holographic wavefront sensor with a bandwidth in the 100 kHz range, a patented angular transmission wavefront sensor, and modal wavefront-sensorless AO. The group has participated in several international collaborations and experiments and has had projects funded by foreign agencies, particularly from the aerospace and defense sectors. Further information about the Adaptive Optics Group at Fraunhofer IOSB can be found at www.iosb.fraunhofer.de/adaptive-optics.

 

Would you like to be involved in the conceptualisation, experimental realisation and further development of adaptive optics systems for high-power lasers and free-space optical communications? Would you like to work on projects that benefit national defense? If so, apply to us and seize the opportunity to work in the dynamic research environment of a renowned institute!

 

What you will do

  • You will design and implement novel adaptive optics concepts in hardware
  • You will perform applied research on topics of practical interest to our group, such as
    • AO for laser momentum transfer to combat the space debris problem
    • Coherent beam combining and target-in-the-loop AO for high-power lasers
    • Turbulence-resilient free-space optical communications systems
    • Wavefront sensors based on deep learning
    • Development and construction of new wavefront sensors
  • You will write reports (in German) and publications (in English)

 

What you bring to the table

  • You possess an M.Sc., M.Eng., Diploma, or a higher academic degree in a relevant discipline (physics or electrical engineering)
  • You have practical experience in one or more of the following areas: light propagation in the atmosphere, adaptive optics, free-space optical communications, high-energy laser physics, optical metrology, or communications engineering
  • You have experience with Python, LabView or Julia programming languages and their development environments
  • Experience with optical design and/or CAD software is a plus
  • You can work independently and have very good time- and effort-management skills
  • Please note: This is an experimental, lab-based position

 

What you can expect

  • You will have access to exceptionally equipped laboratories
  • You will be supported by experts in the fields of of turbulence, telecommunications and high-energy laser physics
  • Participation in scientific conferences and training courses is strongly encouraged, as is the publication of results in scientific journals
  • The opportunity to pursue a doctorate (if suitable and interested)
  • A wide range of professional development opportunities (e.g. the development program “Fraunhofer TALENTA” for female scientists)
  • Family-friendly conditions (flexible working hours, home-office regulations in line with the requirements of the position, etc.)
  • Discounted Jobticket (public transport ticket )

 

The weekly working time is 39 hours. This position is also available on a part-time basis. The employment is on a fixed-term, 3-year contract, with the possibility of extension. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD). Additionally Fraunhofer may grant performance-based variable remuneration components.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!
 

With questions about this position please contact:
Dr. Szymon Gladysz
Adaptive Optics Group Leader
Phone: +49 7243 992-120

Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB 

www.iosb.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 81030                Application Deadline:

 


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