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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, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
Within its Maintenance, Support and Engineering Department (MSE) at the La Silla Paranal Observatory, within the Directorate of Operations, ESO is advertising an International Staff member position of
Adaptive Optics Engineer/Physicist
Paranal
Deadline 15/03/2022
The successful applicant will be part of the Optics (optical engineering) group, which is currently comprised of six engineers and five technicians. This group is responsible for all the telescopes optics at the Paranal Observatory, and it is deeply involved in the ELT mirror coating process, and in the Assembly Integration and Verification (AIV) phase. At present, eight Adaptive Optics (AO) systems are being implemented at Paranal using various types of wavefront sensors, deformable mirrors, an d real-time computers. Additionally, new AO systems are under fabrication phase for the next generation of instruments (GRAVITY+, MAVIS).
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will have the following main duties and responsibilities:
As Adaptive Optics Engineer/Physicist:
- Ensure that the performance and availability of the AO systems are at the expected level. Lead troubleshooting and analysis, when necessary, in combination with the instrument scientists, technology experts of the Department, and any system responsible.
- Attend design reviews of new AO systems to be installed in Paranal, and participate in their Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) phase.
- Attend reviews of AO systems for the ELT, as needed.
- Propose new AO projects (upgrades, obsolescence, etc.) in close collaboration with the System engineering group and the Dept. Group leaders.
- Review changes and projects related to AO, for the Configuration Control Board.
- Nurture the exchange between Paranal and the AO group of the Directorate of Engineering in Garching.
- Any critical Paranal activities for which your competencies are requested by your manager.
All the tasks defined here, shall be performed according to the ESO competency framework and Paranal standards (safety, process, procedure).
Reports to:
The Optics Group Leader.
Experience:
The ideal candidate has several years of professional experience in:
- Design, construction, and commissioning of AO systems.
- Operations and optimization of AO systems.
- Project management.
Knowledge and experience in any of the following domains will be an asset:
- AO systems in telescopes and astronomical instruments.
- Coronagraph, Laser Guide Star systems.
- Advanced Control systems and strategies.
- Atmospheric turbulence monitoring.
Key Competences:
The ideal candidate has several of the following competences (technical and soft):
- Advanced understanding of AO and related techniques and components (wavefront sensors, real-time computers, deformable mirrors)
- Ability to understand the "big picture" and the details of complex systems, their interfaces, and their performance.
- Ability to trouble shoot and solve problems under difficult working conditions and with tight deadlines.
- Interest for theoretical, analytical, and practical work in the field.
- Strong sense of team spirit with the ability to work effectively in a multi-national and multi-cultural environment.
- Good self-organization.
- Plan effectively and monitor progress of work, deliver results on time and according to standards.
Qualifications:
University degree in Optics, Physics, or engineering related to photonics. A PhD in the field of AO or wavefront control will be an asset.
Language Skills:
ESO is an international organization where the official language is English. It is required that the candidate has a good command of written and spoken English. Good knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.
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 if needed.
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#general-conditions). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.
For further information about working at ESO, see the podcast "Engineers at ESO" at: https://www.eso.org/public/videos/esocast186a/
Duty Station:
Paranal Observatory located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The working schedule will be 8 days on duty and 6 days off duty (8x6) with accommodation provided on site, after a probation period with the appropriate shift scheme.
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 http://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications should include a motivation letter and CV in English. Interviews will be held in English.
Deadline for applications is 15 March 2022.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation; it is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce. The post is equally open to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of nationality, gender, age, disability, ethnicity, or religion.
No nationality is in principle excluded; however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile.