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Advert. no. 2017_0004
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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, close to Paranal, 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 Paranal Observatory.

For its Science Operations Department at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, ESO opens a Paid Associate position of:

Operation Staff Astronomer

Paranal

Vacancy closed on 20/03/2017

Deadline 20/03/2017

Paranal Operations Staff Astronomers contribute to the challenge of operating the world leading astronomical facility and optimizing its scientific output. In 2017 and the following years, major new systems will complement the available suite of instruments, including the VLTI 2nd generation instrument MATISSE, the Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF) on UT4, and the planet hunter ESPRESSO.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain and provide expert knowledge on novel instrumentation, and may be given the overall responsibility for an instrument at the Very Large Telescope. Flexibility exists so as to tailor duties and responsibilities according to personal expertise and interests.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

As part of the operations team, the successful candidate will:

  • Contribute to the observing support in both visitor and service mode at Paranal Observatory, including short-term scheduling of observations, calibration of instruments and the assessment of the scientific quality of the astronomical data.
  • Work in collaboration with one or several of the teams operating the instruments currently on the mountain to improve their operations and scientific performance, and contribute to the operations-readiness of the second generation of VLT(-I) systems.

Up to 135 nights per year are spent at the Observatory carrying out functional duties. The rest of the time is spent on scientific research in the ESO office in Santiago. Financial support for scientific trips and stays at other institutions, including in Europe, is provided to all Paranal Operations Astronomers.

Reports to:

The Head of the Paranal Science Operations Department in Chile.

Experience:

We seek a staff astronomer with substantial observing and/or operational experience in instrumentation areas relevant to the current instrument suite at Paranal. We welcome applications of colleagues who consider secondments from their home institutions for the duration of the contract.

Key Competences:

Candidates with a strong background in state-of-the-art observing techniques available at Paranal will be given particular consideration, specifically adaptive optics observations, but also near/mid-infrared observations, high-spectral resolution, multi-object spectroscopy, time-resolved photometry, etc.

The ideal candidate will be an active researcher and have excellent observation-oriented research records, will be familiar with instrumental, data analysis, archiving and/or observational techniques, and must be conversant with at least one major data reduction package such as IRAF or IDL.

Candidates should preferably have a proven ability to identify technical issues and potential risks, and experience with real-time troubleshooting. Very good self-organization and time management, coupled with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks are a must. Communication and interpersonal skill are required, with the ability to adapt and to work efficiently in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and within a team. A strong sense of team spirit is essential.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics or equivalent.

Language Skills:

The position requires a working knowledge of English. A working knowledge of Spanish, or a willingness to learn it, would be advantageous.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family. The initial contract is for a period of one year with the possibility of a fixed-term extension.

Duty Station:

Paranal (130 km near Antofagasta, North of Chile) and Santiago, Chile.

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. Also check the job webpage of the Paranal Science Operations Department (http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/paranal/sciops/jobs.html). Applicants are invited to apply online at http://recruitment.eso.org/ Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter, a research statement and a CV (with list of publications).

The position also requires three letters of reference.

Closing date for applications is March 20, 2017.

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 United Kingdom, however, no nationality is in principle excluded.

The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.

Contact us

Email vacchile@eso.org

ESO