Job Title

Job No.

 

Center

Location

Date Posted

 

  Assistant or Associate Astronomer    Update      

949

NOAO

La Serena, Chile

06/12/2009

 

 
The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) invites applications for a tenure track staff position based at NOAO-South, the site of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), in La Serena, Chile.  NOAO is the U.S. national center for nighttime ground-based optical astronomy and its mission is to provide access to an optimized system of high-performance telescopes of all apertures for the benefit of the entire community.  NOAO-South operates the CTIO Blanco and SOAR 4-meter telescopes, and is a member of the SMARTS Consortium that operates four smaller telescopes.  NOAO-South also provides the infrastructure support for all the facilities on Cerro Tololo and Cerro Pachón, including Gemini-South and the development of LSST.  There is a strong technical group actively developing optical and infrared instrumentation as well as adaptive optics.  NOAO-South staff members participate in all NOAO-wide programs, including LSST, GSMT, Gemini support, Science Data Management, and System Instrumentation. 

Ongoing instrumentation projects at NOAO-South include construction at Fermilab of the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), a wide-field imager for the Blanco 4-meter telescope, and the SOAR Adaptive Module (SAM), a ground layer adaptive optics module being built at CTIO for the 4.1-meter SOAR telescope.  NOAO-South staff are also involved in planning for LSST construction and operations, as well as the implementation plans for new instrumentation for the Blanco 4-meter, including an optical spectrograph and an IR spectrograph, following the recommendations from the ReSTAR (Renewing Small Telescopes for Astronomical Research) committee.  

The ideal candidate will be an observational astronomer with several years of experience in astronomical instrumentation and instrument support.  Specific interest in optical spectroscopy and/or infrared imaging and spectroscopy is advantageous, but all skill sets relevant to CTIO will be considered.  Familiarity with modern observatory operations and scientific data management will also be favorably considered in the selection process. 

This NOAO tenure track position provides for up to 50% time for individual research.  The successful candidate will be expected to develop an active research career at NOAO, particularly capitalizing on the research opportunities offered by the facilities we operate.  Every effort is made to align the scientist’s functional duties with his or her research interests, and scientific support includes a modest annual research budget and coverage for page charges.  The NOAO–South scientific staff (15 astronomers, scientists, and postdoctoral fellows) works in a variety of research topics, including large-scale structure, supernovae, stellar populations, galaxy evolution, stellar evolution, interstellar medium, chemical evolution of galaxies, and active galaxies.  Our scientists work within a larger community including Gemini and SOAR scientific staff in the same office complex, with astronomers from Las Campanas Observatory and the University of La Serena located close by.  As an international observatory, we also benefit from a continuous flow of visiting astronomers passing through the facilities. 

The position is based at the AURA campus in La Serena, Chile, which includes the offices of CTIO, SOAR and Gemini-South, with the offices of Las Campanas Observatory next door.  The working language is English.  Staff members have excellent benefits and living conditions, an overseas cost-of-living adjustment, an educational stipend for dependent children, support for Spanish lessons, international health care benefits, and an annual travel benefit.  Bilingual education for children is available at the International School of La Serena that was co-founded by Observatory staff.  The city of La Serena is a major seaside tourist destination in South America, with a mild climate somewhat similar to Southern California. 

Applicants will be considered at all levels.  NOAO is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  AURA and NOAO actively support efforts to broaden participation in all Observatory activities. Women and candidates from underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.   

Applications received prior to September 1, 2009 are assured of full consideration; however, the position will remain open until filled.  Applications should include a curriculum vita; a statement of current professional interests and how those interests align with the NOAO program; and the names of three references.  Application materials should be submitted electronically (preferred) to hrnoao@noao.edu, or by mail to address below. 

Further details can be obtained from the Director of CTIO, Dr. R. Chris Smith, director@ctio.noao.edu.  Profiles of some NOAO Scientists and Astronomers have been posted on the NOAO webpages, to give potential applicants a snapshot of what these positions involve and what it is like to work at NOAO.  

Please see http://www.noao.edu/staffdir/profiles.php

NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF).

 
           

 

Send resume to:

Human Resources Office
National Optical Astronomy Observatory
P.O. Box 26732
Tucson, Arizona 85726-6732
Email: hrnoao@noao.edu
FAX: 520-318-8494

NOAO is an affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employers.
AURA and NOAO actively support efforts to broaden participation in all Observatory activities. Women and candidates from under represented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.