Job Title

Job No.

Center

Location

Date Posted

Scientific Positions

864

NOAO

La Serena, Chile

09/20/2007

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) invites applications for one or more scientist track staff positions based at NOAO-South, in La Serena, Chile.  NOAO is the national center of the United States for nighttime ground-based astronomy.   Our mission is to provide merit-based access to an optimized system of high-performance observatories for the benefit of the entire astronomical community.  NOAO is looking for highly motivated astronomers to further the mission of NOAO. 

The successful candidate(s) will contribute to one (or more) of the following areas: instrument and observer support at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), support of Gemini operations through the NOAO Gemini Science Center, development of new instrumentation for the system of facilities accessed through NOAO, data handling and the data products program, and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) project.

Other NOAO initiatives include the development with the US community of systems of small and mid-sized telescopes, renewal of infrastructure and access to Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO)/CTIO, the NOAO education and public outreach program, NOAO’s participation in the development of the National Virtual Observatory, and operation of the National Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT) Program Office.

New instruments coming to NOAO-South include the Dark Energy Camera (DECAM) being built for the Blanco 4-meter telescope, and the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope Adaptive Module (SAM), a ground layer adaptive optics module being built at CTIO for the 4.2-meter SOAR telescope.  NOAO-South is also involved in the operation and management of the successful Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS) program (running a group of four small telescopes on Cerro Tololo) and the development of an operational model for LSST.

CTIO operates the Blanco and SOAR 4-meter telescopes, is a member of the SMARTS Consortium, and provides the infrastructure for all the facilities on Cerro Tololo. There is a strong technical group to develop optical and infrared instrumentation, including adaptive optics systems. NOAO-South staff members participate in all the NOAO-wide programs, including GSMT, LSST, Gemini support, Data Products, and Instrumentation.

The scientist track has an 80% functional and 20% research component. The successful candidate(s) will be encouraged to develop an active research career including use of the NOAO facilities.  An effort is made to align each scientist’s functional duties with his/her research interests.  Opportunities will exist to move into new NOAO projects in the future.

NOAO–South scientific staff members work in a variety of research topics, including large scale structure, supernovae, stellar populations, galaxy evolution, stellar evolution, chemical evolution of the galaxy and active galaxies.

The position is based at the AURA campus in La Serena, Chile, which includes the offices of CTIO, SOAR, and Gemini-South, with the offices of Las Campanas Observatory next door.  The working language is English. Staff members have excellent benefits and living conditions, a cost-of-living allowance, an educational stipend for dependent children, support for Spanish lessons, international health care benefits, and annual travel to point of hire. Bilingual education for children is available at the International School of La Serena which was co-founded by and is still supported by AURA. The city of La Serena is a major seaside tourist destination in South America, with a climate very similar to San Diego, California.

We have created a web site at http://ctiowo.ctio.noao.edu:8209/ containing additional information about NOAO program scientific staff requirements, projects and staff contacts.  Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to review the material provided and contact staff members for more information.

Applicants will be considered for hiring at a level (Assistant Scientist, Associate Scientist, and Scientist) appropriate for their qualifications and experience. A Ph. D. in astronomy or a closely related field is required.  Applications received prior to January 18, 2008 are assured of full consideration; however, we will accept applications until the position is filled. Applicants should electronically submit a curriculum vitae, a statement of current professional interests and how those interests align with the NOAO program; and the names of three references.

When applying for this position please refer to the job title and job number. Electronic submission preferred.

Send resume to:

Human Resources Office
National Optical Astronomy Observatory
P.O. Box 26732
Tucson, Arizona 85726-6732
Email: hrnoao@noao.edu
FAX: 520-318-8494

NOAO and NSO are affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employers. Preference granted to qualified Native Americans living on or near the Tohono O'Odham reservation.

NOAO and NSO foster a diverse research environment. Women and candidates from under represented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.