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Basic Responsibilities
The National Optical Astronomy
Observatory (NOAO) seeks an astronomer with accomplishments in research
and research leadership to head the Cerro Tololo Inter-American
Observatory (CTIO).
The U.S.
national observatory’s research facilities in
Chile
include CTIO and Gemini South, which is operated by the International
Gemini Observatory. CTIO operates the Blanco 4 meter telescope, the
SOAR 4.2 meter telescope, and a number of smaller telescopes. Both the
SOAR telescope and the smaller telescopes are operated on behalf of
consortia. Logistical support for these facilities is provided by AURA
Observatories Support Services (AOSS). The CTIO Director participates in
management oversight of AOSS and is responsible for the scientific
mission of CTIO.
The CTIO Director is based in La Serena,
Chile.
The working language is English, although some facility with Spanish
would be advantageous. Staff members have excellent benefits and living
conditions, an overseas allowance, an educational stipend for dependent
children, international health care benefits, and annual travel to the
point of hire. Bilingual education for children is available at the
International School of La Serena, which was co-founded and is supported
by AURA. The city of La Serena
is a major seaside tourist destination in South America, with a climate
similar to
San Diego,
California.
The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics or
a related field; will be creative and experienced in providing
scientific and engineering support, teamwork and leadership to peers, as
well as mentorship to more junior colleagues; and will be involved with
research at the frontier of astronomy. He/she will have a record of
accomplishment in providing user support for a major research facility,
interfacing when needed with the community and specific projects, and
will have the ability to lead sixty engineers, technicians, and
scientists located in La Serena,
Chile.
Experience in the development of innovative instrument concepts, and
deployment and use of optical or infrared instruments is desirable. The
candidate will have the opportunity to continue his/her research program
in astronomy.
NOAO’s long-range plan, including that for
CTIO, is embodied in the AURA Cooperative Agreement renewal proposal,
submitted to the National Science Foundation on December 1, 2007. The
relevant parts of this proposal will be made public on the NOAO web site
in early January. In the interim, a good understanding of the plan can
be obtained by reading recent issues of the NOAO Newsletter and the
presentations made to the NOAO Users Committee (http://www.noao.edu/dir/usercom).
Principal elements of the plan include renewal of the observatory
infrastructure, development and deployment of more modern capabilities,
and evolution of the
U.S.
observing system as a whole. A number of NOAO’s
programs are integrated north/south, and the CTIO Director facilitates
the interfaces in
Chile.
The position reports to the NOAO Director, and the CTIO Director is a
member of NOAO’s Executive Council,
which is responsible for developing NOAO’s
strategic plan in concert with the Observatory Council and
NOAO’s
advisory committees. The term of the appointment is five years, with
the possibility of renewal for a second five-year term.
Additional Responsibilities
In addition to the above duties,
candidates may also propose to act as AURA Head of Mission in
Chile
which carries the appointment of Director, AURA Observatories in
Chile
(AURA-O). In carrying out these responsibilities, this individual
reports directly to the President of AURA for these duties, acts as the
AURA’s principal legal
representative in Chile, and promotes the overall achievement of
AURA’s goals for the development of
astronomy in Chile. This individual also acts as direct manager of AOSS
in providing services and as the focal point for common governance. A
full description of these responsibilities is found in Section A-XXI of
the AURA Policy manual (http://www.aura-astronomy.org/a/pp/a21.pdf)
NOAO offers an excellent benefit
package, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and an
extremely attractive work environment. Applicants should submit to the
HR Manager a vita, a publication list, a statement of recent research
experience, a statement of relevant management and service experience, a
description of future plans, along with the names of three references.
We will begin reviewing applications on March 1, 2008, but we will
continue to accept applications until the position is filled.
When applying for this position please
refer to the job title and job number. Electronic submission preferred.
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 and NSO are
affirmative action and equal employment opportunity employers and foster
a diverse research environment. Women and candidates from under
represented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
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