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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 presently embarking on an important project to replace its longstanding Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with a modern, sustainable platform that will enhance our operational efficiency, adaptability, and ability for ESO to remain at the forefront of ground-based astronomy. From Human Resources to Finance, Procurement to Project Management, this transformation will impact every corner of our organisation. Furthermore, in 2027, ESO will be starting its first People Strategy Implementation Programme, with projects and initiatives spanning five years that will modernise and enhance HR services in key areas.
The Human Resources Department at ESO is a busy, friendly and dynamic team located both in Chile and Germany, delivering a comprehensive end to end service to staff, covering recruitment, pay and benefits, business partnering, as well as health and welfare services and learning and development. There is plenty of scope to contribute and make a difference in this exciting environment.
Working as part of our dedicated HR Operations area you will undertake a wide-ranging and important role carrying out several duties.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will have the following main duties and responsibilities:
- administering the relocation and registration of new staff, liaising with the German Foreign Affairs Ministry;
- assisting with the onboarding of staff;
- processing benefit and allowance claims;
- monitoring staff absences;
- providing back-up for our payroll officer during their absence;
- coordinating and monitoring medical examinations;
- dealing with enquiries and ensuring that all individual HR records are kept up to date.
The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt to team needs is essential.
Role reports to:
Compensation and Benefits Team Leader.
Competences and Experience:
Proven and recent HR experience, ideally in an international environment or intergovernmental organisation is required.
The successful applicant for this position shall also possess the following:
Essential Competences and Experience
- Strong analytical skills with close attention to detail especially related to figure-work;
- Proficiency in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and especially Excel) and ERP systems;
- Excellent customer orientation and communication skills;
- Ability to work under pressure and independently with own areas of accountability;
- Strong team working and collaboration orientation;
- Discretion and integrity with ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
Desirable Competences and Experience
User experience of Oracle Fusion
Qualifications:
Full secondary education. A diploma in the field of HR or equivalent professional training will be a strong advantage.
Language skills:
Our working language being English, an excellent command of the English language - oral, reading and writing - is essential. Liaison with the German Foreign Affairs Ministry and the need to be able to issue complex certificates locally requires in addition a very good working knowledge of German. Any further ESO Member State language knowledge would be helpful.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (free of income tax for applicants from ESO Member States), 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 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 (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/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.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany.
The role is based on-site at ESO and relocation to the duty station area is required. Staff at ESO benefit from a mobile working policy that allows for limited hybrid working for work-life balance purposes.
Career Path: II
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 http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
Deadline for applications is 25 November 2026.
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.