Research Associate - Limited Term (Guidance, Navigation and Control) (1 Year Term)

Date Posted: 05/02/2024

Req ID: 37200

Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Department: Inst for Aerospace Studies

Campus: University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies

Description: The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) is a world-leading satellite provider that offers a complete suite of nano-, micro-, and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. Dating from 1998, SFL's heritage of on-orbit successes includes over 70 satellites and distinct missions related to Earth observation, atmospheric monitoring, ship tracking, communication, radio frequency (RF) geolocation, technology demonstration, space astronomy, solar physics, space plasma, and other scientific research. The incumbent will have a leading role in the design, development or modification of new or existing spacecraft attitude and formation control systems, including the analysis, design, prototyping, assembly, integration and testing of all the necessary components.

The Research Associate – Limited Term (Guidance, Navigation and Control) position will:

• Define attitude and/or formation determination, control requirements and architectures.
• Identify off the shelf components to support attitude and/or formation determination and control architectures.
• Develop new components or modify existing component designs, including actuators, sensors and ground support equipment.
• Develop mathematical models of attitude and/or formation determination and control systems, including modeling in Matlab/Simulink, performing detailed simulations in discrete time, using the simulations to tune controllers and estimators.
• Develop attitude and/or formation estimators and controllers based on established approaches to control design.
• Assemble, integrate and test attitude and/or formation determination and control systems, from the unit to subsystem to system level.
• Support on-orbit commissioning and operations of attitude and/or formation determination and control systems.
• Select, define, acquire, install and/or identify facilities to support attitude and/or formation control development and testing. This includes developing or acquiring any necessary software.
• Interacting and communicating with consultants that are supporting attitude and/or determination and control system development. This includes coordinating analyses, prototyping and testing activities.
• Performing trade analyses on alternate spacecraft configurations.
• Developing and maintaining system budgets for attitude and/or formation control systems.
• Advising on design feasibility and cost.
• Collaborate with other engineers to specify requirements on, and obtain requirements from other spacecraft subsystems that are affected by the attitude and/or formation control designs.
• Work with SFL consultants to obtain comments and review of analysis and design efforts, component selection and acquisition, and assembly and testing procedures.
• Research new technologies and new applications for developing spacecraft attitude and formation control systems.
• Publish results through conferences and journal papers.
• Assist with the supervision of graduate students doing research.

Qualifications

Education: PhD or equivalent combination of education and experience in Aerospace or Electrical Engineering with specialization in attitude control.

Experience: 2 to 3 years of industrial or post-graduate experience in the relevant technical field. Experience in the space industry is an asset.

Skills:

• Understanding of advanced dynamics, space vehicle dynamics.
• Understanding of orbital dynamics.
• Ability to formulate dynamical models and equations.
• Understanding of control systems, observers (Kalman filters), and both classical and state space control law formulations.
• Ability to use Matlab/Simulink for control system simulation.
• Familiarity with and ability to test space system sensors and actuators.
• Familiarity with GPS receivers.
• Some knowledge of formation control is an asset.
• Programming skills: C, C++

Note: this is a one-year term position with the possibility of extension.

Closing Date: 05/10/2024,11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Research Associate

Appointment Type: Grant - Term

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $51,543 - $96,643

Job Category: Engineering / Technical

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected].

Job Segment: RF, Testing, Electrical Engineering, Research Scientist, Science, Technology, Research, Engineering