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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 Directorate for Science at its Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of
Astronomer/ CRIRES Project Scientist
Garching
Deadline 30/06/2016
ESO, in collaboration with an established consortium of institutes, is engaged in the upgrade of the CRIRES infrared high resolution echelle spectrograph. The CRIRES Project Scientist follows the upgrade of the instrument ensuring that the top-level requirements are fulfilled and that the operational scenario for the instrument is commensurate with the scientific needs and the constraints of the observatory.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The Astronomer/CRIRES Project Scientist
- Provides scientific leadership to the CRIRES instrumentation programmes within ESO;
- Holds and maintains the CRIRES Top Level Requirements;
- Supports the development of pipelines, templates and other operational tools;
- Supports the instrument teams in testing, commissioning and early operations;
- Participates in progress meetings, instrument reviews, etc;
- Tracks the evolving requirements for the CRIRES emerging from the community;
- Liaises with ESO's scientific community on CRIRES related issues;
- Works closely with the Project Manager, Project Engineer and System Engineer to ensure the implementation of the Top Level Requirements throughout the design/construction/early operation phases;
- Interacts closely with the observatory and data management teams on operational aspects;
- Coordinates the activities of the CRIRES instrument Science Teams.
The tasks are not limited to the above and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt are required.
Reports to:
Head of the Project Science department
Experience:
- Excellent writing and communication skills;
- Good publication record;
- Past involvement in one or more of construction, design or operation of instrumentation;
- Active research programme;
- Proficiency in relevant data reduction methods and tools;
- Familiarity with high resolution spectroscopy techniques, particularly in the field of IR;
- Understanding of the eco-planet science requirements on instruments and their realisation;
- Cooperative team player;
- Good cross-disciplinary communication skills;
- Ability to work in a clear and structured approach, providing meaningful reports to supervisors and presentations to governing bodies.
Key Competences:
- Provides scientific vision and leadership to geographically dispersed multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary teams within a cost constrained programme;
- Ability to effectively communicate at all levels within the organisation and with the community;
- Strong influencing skills, ability to motivate and inspire others;
- Provides clear, concise and timely oral and written communications, identifying the key issues, examining options and proposing a way ahead.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in astronomy, physics or equivalent
Language Skills:
- Excellent command of the English language is essential
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), medical and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating you and your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare. For any further information, please visit <http://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/paidassoc/>.
The contract is for a fixed-term period of two years, non-renewable. Serious consideration will be given to candidates willing to be seconded to ESO on leave from their home institutions.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany. Duty trips to ESO sites in Chile will be required particularly during integration and commissioning phases.
Career Path:
V
Starting Date:
September 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter
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 <http://jobs.eso.org/>. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter, a research statement and CV. Also required are the names and contact details of three scientists familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter. Referees will be automatically invited to submit a recommendation letter. However, applicants are strongly advised to trigger these invitations (using the web application form) well in advance of the application deadline.
Closing date for applications is 30 June 2016.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
No nationality is in principle excluded however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.