The PhD candidate will simulate the adaptive Optics performance of PCS (Planetary Camera and Spectrograph), ESO's next generation high contrast Adaptive Optics System for the ELT telescope (see here).

They will develop and implement modifications to an existing end to end simulation code (Yet to be chosen, but probably either Octopus or OOPAO), including for instance BiO edge models, petalometer, or a multi-stage AO. They will support with these improvements the performance evaluation and the definition of the architecture of the PCS adaptive optics module. For example, comparing different control algorithms (Cascaded vs decoupled AO), or defining an optimal configuration for the wavefront sensors (for example, first stage Pyramid, second stage BiO-edge, versus two post-DM wavefront sensors).

We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in numerical simulations, control algorithms, Adaptive Optics and / or High Contrast Imaging. Strong programming skills (in Python or C) would be a very desirable asset.

The subject will be done in collaboration with Aalto University (Finland) and supervised by Prof. Nuutti Hyvönen.