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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 the Atacama Desert region of Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnator. 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 Department of Communication, ESO is inviting students from Chilean Universities in their career's last period, to participate in the following programme:
Internships: Science Journalism in Chile
Santiago
Deadline 23/07/2021
ESO's Department of Communication is responsible for all aspects of internal and external communication for the Organisation. It covers the whole spectrum of communications, including media relations, content production, local outreach, digital communication and internal communication, and engages with a broad range of audiences ranging from scientists and the astronomy community, decision-takers to journalists and members of the public. The Department is based partly at the ESO Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, and partly in Santiago, Chile. In ESO's Department of Communication in Chile you will work with a team of professional science communicators for the preparation of ESO news and press releases, social media campaigns, web pages, video scripts, and other public communication products .
Through your involvement in various projects and with our support, you will have the opportunity to understand and learn specific communication skills and tools, the values of the scientific method, critical thinking, quality standards in communications, collaboration and team spirit, working with a diverse and international workforce. You would gain experience in how to communicate science to different audiences and thereby contribute to building a more informed and capable society through science communication. You will learn:
- How a large international scientific organisation works in practice and in particular what are the workflows, processes and procedures within the Department of Communication in Chile;
- How to write about complex scientific issues in an engaging and understandable manner;
- What is required to coordinate big events and projects;
- How written text and audiovisuals can be combined to make science attractive and approachable to the public.
Requirements:
We are looking for people who want to gain experience in science communication of frontline astronomy projects.
You should have interest in communicating astronomy or other physical sciences to the public. Knowledge of astronomy that allows you to understand scientific papers is an asset. You must be fluent in English and Spanish both written and oral and have strong MS Office applications skills (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Candidates currently studying a University degree in science or communications careers are eligible.
Competences:
You should be able to:
- Understand and translate scientific research into simple concepts and write about it to general audiences in an engaging and accurate manner;
- Provide clear, concise and timely written and oral communications;
- Work under time pressure and deliver to agreed deadlines and standards;
- Work both on your own initiative and as part of a team;
- Build good collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines.
- Proactive, open and friendly attitude and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Creativity.
- Transparency, being a good team player.
Internship details:
The duration of the internship is 3 months, and considering the current situation the internship will be carried out remotely. We offer a monthly allowance to cover your living expenses. For any further questions please contact vacchile@eso.org.
Application:
If you are interested in our internship opportunities, you are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter (1 page) and your CV. Please also upload two written samples (each no more than 5 pages long) that demonstrate ability to communicate science to a wider audience (e.g. blog posts, magazine or newspaper articles, press releases, college papers or pieces, etc). Please note that only complete applications, with all required materials in English, will be accepted.
Deadline for applications is 23 July 2021.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race or religion. No nationality is in principle excluded. However, recruitment preference will be given to students from Chilean Universities.