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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 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. 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.
ESO is a member of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) and will host the CTA-South Array at its Paranal site.
The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a multinational project to build two sites of telescope arrays in the northern and southern hemisphere to observe extremely high energy photons from the Universe with greatly improved sensitivity. Up to 99 optical telescopes are planned to be installed at the CTA-South site at Paranal observatory in Chile, while 19 telescopes are planned for the CTA-North site on La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). A Science Data Management Centre (SDMC) will be built in Berlin-Zeuthen (Germany).
A dedicated organization, the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) with its Headquarter and Project Office in Bologna (Italy) is responsible for the construction and operation of CTA.
For the Southern site of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), at the La Silla Paranal Observatory in Chile, ESO is advertising an international staff member position of:
The CTAO-S Site Manager will manage the on-site construction activities, mainly medium to large size infrastructure construction contracts for roads, telescope foundations, buildings, power network, and related infrastructure services. The site manager will be the direct interface to the host organisation ESO in Chile. He/she will lead the observatory from the construction phase into full operations, almost coordinating all on-site activities for the implementation of an intermediate array configuration.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Managing the on-site construction of the Telescope Array.
- Managing the on-site team of directly employed staff and contractors
- Developing and maintaining a fluid, constructive and collaborative relation with ESO's interfaces to the CTAO Project
- Leading the design and planning efforts for CTAO-South for Array and Support infrastructure
- Preparing the CTAO-South construction and operations budget
- Tendering and managing the CTAO-South infrastructure construction contracts, including efficient claim management
- Interfacing with the contractors on site on a day-to-day basis and with the appropriate formalism
- Leading and coordinating acceptance processes with the contractors and engineering teams
- Managing the implementation of the on-site Health and Safety Plan in line with ESO's policies
- Maintaining the document and drawing control system
- Supporting the In-kind Contributor (IKC) teams during their AIV and commissioning phase on the CTAO-South site
- Leading and organizing the on-site activities, required for the integration and operation of an intermediate array with a reduced number of telescopes during the ongoing infrastructure construction
- Planning and managing the intermediate array operation during the construction phase
- Preparing and managing the steady state operation of the CTAO-South site.
- Maintaining close and efficient communication with the CTAO headquarters in Bologna, mainly via the CTAO Construction Programme Manager.
The CTAO-South Site Manager is responsible for:
Reports to:
The CTAO Construction Programme Manager and the ESO Director of the La Silla Paranal Observatory.
Experience:
Applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of construction, integration and operation of large-scale scientific projects, preferably in astronomy.
Key Competences:
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to guide multidisciplinary on-site teams and contractors toward common goals.
- Excellent planning and organisational abilities, including managing complex construction activities, schedules and budgets.
- Clear, respectful and effective communication, ensuring fluid collaboration with ESO, CTAO, contractors and in-kind contributors.
- Capacity to anticipate issues and resolve problems proactively, using sound judgement in technical, operational and contractual matters.
- Demonstrated commitment to CTAO's and ESO's values, showing accountability, adaptability and a high standard of professionalism.
- Ability to build constructive relationships and manage conflict, maintaining a cooperative and solution-oriented environment.
- Strong focus on safety and compliance, ensuring proper implementation of Health & Safety plans and adherence to ESO policies.
Qualifications:
Basic requirements for the position include an engineering degree in a technical discipline, such as Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical engineer.
Language Skills:
ESO is an international organization where the official language is English. The position requires proficiency in oral and written communication in English. A very good knowledge of Spanish is essential.
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 and support to place your child/children in daycare.
Our Salary Structure:
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience. Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/
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 initial 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, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment. 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. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
Duty Station:
Paranal Observatory, located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The nominal working schedule will be 8 days on duty and 6 days off duty (8x6) with accommodation provided on site during the shifts. Duty travels to the other CTAO sites in Europe or events outside the organisation will be expected.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at https://recruitment.eso.org/. Your application should be in English and include your curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter of motivation.
Closing date for applications is 16 December 2025.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.
Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.