CCD job in La Palma

[Daniel Matthews]

Position for one, possibly two CCD people in La Palma (Isaac Newton Group 
of telescopes).  HPTO or SPTO - adverts (internal and press) follows. For 
more info contact:

Clive Jackman <cwmj at ing.iac.es>

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PPARC
  
 Council Vacancy Notice

The Observatories, Isaac Newton Group

HPTO/SPTO   Electronics Engineers or Physicists

Operations Division Closing date: 16 August 1996


Vacancies exists within the electronics group of the Isaac Newton Group of
Telescopes on La Palma in the Canary Island, for an electronics engineer
or physicist specialising in astronomical detectors. 

The Isaac Newton group comprises three world-class optical telescopes: the
4.2-m William Herschel Telescope, the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope and the
1-m Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope.  The telescopes are equipped with a
powerful set of instruments and detectors allowing a wide range of
astronomical observations. They are situated at the Observatorio del Roque
de Los Muchachos at an altitude of 2400m. 

Light collected by the telescopes may be presented to a variety of
astronomical instruments before detection by highly sensitive low noise
CCDs, or infra red array detectors. To remain competitive within the
astronomical community it is essential that we provide the latest in
detector technology and ensure that these devices operate at the peak of
their performance. 

DUTIES

A successful applicant could be expected to head the detector section of
the electronics group.  The group comprises of a multi-national team of 10
engineers who enhance and maintain a wide range of electronic hardware.
The equipment includes both analogue and digital systems at all stages of
the equipment life cycle. The postholders will have an additional
responsibility for astronomical detector systems. This will involve
trouble shooting problems reported by users, preparing detectors prior to
instrument changes, maintaining quality control standards and planning and
implementing enhancements. The telescopes are used every night of the
year, so a willingness to work to tight deadline under difficult
conditions often at unsociable times is most important. Night-time
engineering support is mostly provided by members of the electronics
group. 

Duties of the postholder will include:

  Specific responsibility for daily maintenance and quality control of all
astronomical detector systems. 
 
  Responsibility for commissioning and characterising new detectors
delivered to the observatory. 
 
  Involvement in defining and planning upgrade programmes
 
  General responsibility, shared with the rest of the electronics group,
for maintenance of electronics systems. 
 
  Providing night-time engineering support for the telescopes, as a member
of the Duty Engineer roster. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Successful applicants for the posts will probably have had experience
working with low level- imaging systems operating at optical or infra red
wavelengths, possibly in an R&D environment.  Some knowledge of modern
detector systems used in astronomy (CCDs, infra-red arrays, intensified
TVs and image photon counting systems) is important. 

Applicants must have demonstrated a capacity to work at professional
engineer level. 

APPLICATIONS ETC. The successful candidates will be based on La Palma
where free accommodation will be provided along with a wide range of other
benefits. The salary will be free of UK and local income tax, in the range
of œ14122 to œ24888, together with additional allowances depending on
personal circumstances. Further progression to the band maximum of œ29986
is applicable through performance pay. A relocation package will also be
available. 

Staff wishing to be considered for the post should complete a PPARC
Vacancy Application Form (obtainable from PMG) and forward it via the Head
of their Group or Section, to reach the Personnel Section ING La Palma, at
the following address: Royal Observatories , Isaac Newton Group, Personnel
Section, Apartado de Correos 321, 38780 Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary
Islands by the closing date.  Applications from non-permanent employees
can only be considered if they were recruited to their present posts
through fair and open competition and have the necessary entry
qualifications of the grade for which they are applying.  For permanent
employees, promotion to this fixed-term post will be non-substantive.  On
completion of their fixed-term appointment, the Council will first seek to
re-assign them to their originating establishment;  if no opportunities
are available it will use its best endeavours to seek opportunities to
place them elsewhere in the organisation. 
  
Applications for a request interview may be made against this Vacancy
Notice by employees of the PPARC who have served in their present grade
for at least seven years (at the date of this Notice) and have not been
interviewed for promotion within the same Occupational Group for at least
four years.  CEM 7D, section 8 refers. 

Applicants applying for a vacancy at an establishment other than their
own, should also complete a "Notification of Application" slip and forward
it directly to the Personnel Section of the establishment with the
vacancy. 

A non-industrial employee serving on AEA-type conditions would be entitled
to retain those conditions on appointment to this post. 

For applicants from outside PPARC Swindon Office, applications
must be with their local Personnel Section not less than three days before
the closing date. 

This post is also being advertised externally.

 Further information on these posts is available from Clive Jackman on La
Palma (telephone 34 22 405555, fax 34 22 405646, Internet e-mail
CWMJ at ING.IAC.ES).

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The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) on La Palma in the Canary
Islands are looking for astronomical detector specialists. 

Electronics Engineers  or Physicists

Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes
La Palma, Canary Islands


The Isaac Newton group comprises three world-class optical telescopes: the
4.2-m William Herschel Telescope, the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope and the
1-m Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope.  The telescopes are equipped with a
powerful set of instruments and detectors allowing a wide range of
astronomical observations. They are situated at the Observatorio del Roque
de Los Muchachos at an altitude of 2400m. 

Light collected by the telescopes may be presented to a variety of
astronomical instruments before detection by highly sensitive CCD, or
infra red array detectors. To remain competitive within the astronomical
community it is essential that we provide the latest in detector
technology and ensure that these devices operate at the peak of their
performance. 

Successful applicants for the posts will probably have had experience
working with low level- imaging systems operating at optical or infra red
wavelengths, possibly in an R&D environment.  Some knowledge of modern
detector systems used in astronomy (CCDs, infra-red arrays, intensified
TVs and image photon counting systems) is important. Applicants should
have demonstrated a capacity to work at chartered engineer level. 

The successful applicants will be based on La Palma where free
accommodation will be provided.  The salary will be free of UK and local
income tax, in the range of œ14122 to œ24888, together with additional
allowances depending on personal circumstances. Further progression to the
band maximum of œ29986 is applicable through performance pay. A relocation
package will also be available. 
  

For further information and an application form please contact Clive
Jackman on La Palma (telephone 34 22 405555, fax 34 22 405646, Internet
e-mail CWMJ at ING.IAC.ES).