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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, which will become 'the world's biggest eye on the sky' and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
For its Engineering Group at APEX, Sequitor, at the La Silla Paranal Observatory, Chile, ESO is opening the Local Staff position of
Electronics Engineer
Sequitor, San Pedro de Atacama
Deadline 19/10/2015
The successful candidate will be part of the engineering team of the APEX project (Atacama Pathfinder Experiment, a submillimeter-wave telescope located in the high Andes http://www.apex-telescope.org). The successful applicant will support the effective and flawless operation of the Apex submm wavelength telescope, its subsystems and the installed instruments. Therefore she/he will also develop new subsystems to improve the reliability and operation of the observatory.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
She/He is responsible for maintenance and performance improvement of the radio telescope's electro- and opto-mechanical systems and its instrumentation. This also includes the installation and commissioning of systems or subsystems, support to configuration changes in instrumentation, and support to the daily operation of the telescope. As an APEX staff member, she/he will collaborate and give support to external multinational teams coming to install and test new equipment. The successful candidate participates in a multidisciplinary team and cooperates in all tasks required for the normal operation of a radio telescope. She/He must be willing to accept irregular working times and be able to work under difficult environmental conditions as tasks are developed at the site, at 5100m of altitude.
Reports to:
The successful candidate will report to the Apex Head of Engineering.
Experience:
- Servo control systems / Antenna drive systems
- PLC programming
- Vacuum techniques and cryogenics
- Microwave techniques up to W-band or higher
- Electrical Power Generation
The qualified candidate must have at least 5 years of experience in maintaining complex electro mechanical systems controlled by computers or microcontrollers. Experience and in-depth knowledge in at least four of the following areas is required: Key Competences:
Personal skills
- Ability to organize small projects
- Good time management and multi task working
- Ability to early identify upcoming problems and pro-actively develop solutions
- Willingness to learn and deal with new situations and issues
- Work under pressure in harsh environments (high altitude)
Team working skills
- Contributes ideas for improvements and developments to the working processes of the team
- Has a flexible attitude to team roles and shares own knowledge, experience and skills to enable others to meet team and organization's goals
- Able to motivate team members and support their progress
Planning skills
- Monitors progress of own work and delivers results to agreed deadlines and standards
- Is able to effectively plan maintenance and trouble shooting tasks
Qualifications:
We seek a professional with a university degree in civil electronics engineering. Experience in the effective leadership of small teams at a remote site would fit the desired profile. In depth experience of, and analytical skills in effective trouble shooting and high level maintenance of complex systems are required to fulfill the major job requirement. A firm command of English (written and spoken) is essential to effectively communicate in a multinational team.
Language Skills:
The position requires a working knowledge of English.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary and comprehensive medical and educational benefits.
The initial contract is for a period of two years with the possibility of renewal, subject to evaluation. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification of the candidate and the number of years of experience.
Duty Station:
The post is based at APEX Sequitor, near to San Pedro de Atacama. The successful candidate must be able and willing to perform work also at the high site of Chajnantor at 5.100 m a.s.l.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (<http://www.eso.org>) for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at <https://jobs.eso.org/>. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.
Closing date for applications is 19 October 2015
. Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
No nationality is in principle excluded. However, recruitment preference will be given to nationals and residents of Chile.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.