Job Title

Job No.

Center

Location

Date Posted

Scientific Positions

863

NOAO

Tucson, AZ

09/20/2007

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) invites applications for one or more scientist track staff positions based at NOAO-North, in Tucson, Arizona.  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 Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), 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 KPNO/Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (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 at NOAO-North include the recently commissioned near-infrared wide-field camera (NEWFIRM) at the 4-meter telescope, the WIYN High-resolution InfraRed Camera (WHIRC), and the One-Degree Imager (ODI) being built for the 3.5-meter WIYN telescope.

KPNO operates the Mayall 4-meter, WIYN 3.5-meter, and the 2.1-m telescopes, as well as providing infrastructure for all of the facilities on Kitt Peak. NOAO-North includes a strong technical group to develop optical and infrared instrumentation as well as detector electronics.  Tucson is the headquarters of the NOAO Office of Public Affairs and Educational Outreach, which coordinates activities for KPNO, CTIO, and the NOAO Gemini Science Center. NOAO-North staff members participate in all 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–North scientific staff members work in a variety of research topics, including galaxy formation and evolution, stellar kinematics, star formation histories, binary star evolution, large scale structure, planetary nebulae, star and planet formation. 

The position is based at the NOAO headquarters in Tucson, Arizona, but may require occasional work on Kitt Peak at an elevation of 7000 feet.

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.