MPE is a world-renowned institute in both space- and ground-based experimental astrophysics, playing leading roles in numerous major astronomical missions and projects. The high-energy group carries out major space hardware activities supporting its astrophysics research program, including developing X‑ray detectors and X‑ray optics. It is the lead institute for the NewAthena/WFI Consortium and responsible for delivering the instrument to ESA for an anticipated launch in 2038. The High-Energy Group has also contributed significantly to missions such as Chandra and XMM–Newton, led the development of the eROSITA X‑ray telescope and is a partner in Einstein Probe and eXTP.
Project Scientist (m/f/d) for Wide Field Imager Instrument for NewAthena X‑ray Observatory
Reference number 26/2025
The position will be based within the High-Energy Astrophysics Group at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Garching, led by Prof. Kirpal Nandra.
The WFI is one of two scientific instruments planned for NewAthena. Based on state-of-the-art DEPFET technology developed by the Max Planck Semiconductor Laboratory, it will deliver spectroscopic imaging over a large field of view (40′ × 40′), with high spatial resolution, excellent temporal resolution, and good spectral resolution in the 0.2-15 keV energy band. Thanks to its unprecedented survey capabilities, the WFI will address a broad range of key scientific goals: tracing the origin and distribution of metals in the Universe; probing the physical processes that govern the evolution of baryons within dark matter halos; exploring how supermassive black hole growth shapes galaxy evolution; constraining the equation of state of ultra-dense matter in neutron stars; and contributing to multi-messenger astrophysics by jointly studying cosmic explosions and mergers using both gravitational wave and electromagnetic observations. In addition, a dedicated fast detector will provide exceptional high-count-rate capabilities, enabling the detailed study of the brightest X‑ray sources in the sky.
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