SKA-Low Operations Scientist

We are looking to recruit an Operations Scientist who will further enhance our growing SKA-Low Science Operations team, in particular with expertise in the areas of the Epoch of Reionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, or intensity mapping.

The SKA-Low Operations Scientists will have a unique opportunity to shape the operation of the SKA-Low Telescope through the sharing of their domain knowledge and expertise. During construction and early array deployment, they will assist with commissioning as well as plan and conduct science verification. The Science Operations team will verify the end-to-end science process, including proposal submission, scheduling, execution, data reduction and delivery.

Once the Telescope will be fully operational, the SKA-Low Operations Scientists will develop new capabilities, respond to new science directions and provide astronomical observing expertise to operators, ensuring the successful delivery of data for the key science objectives of the SKAO.

The SKA-Low Operations Scientist will be based at the Science Operations Centre in Perth, Australia.

They will collaborate with multidisciplinary SKAO colleagues and interact with the global science community to communicate progress. SKAO also has close contacts with universities in Australia, allowing for co-supervision of students and postdoctoral fellows.

The SKA-Low Operations Scientist will also have the opportunity to maintain an active research career, with up to 25% of their time available for personal research.

SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.

There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direction of the SKA-Low Senior Operations Scientist, the SKA-Low Operations Scientist will support science operations of the SKA-Low Telescope by:

• Contribute to the commissioning and science verification of array releases, including the development and implementation of test plans and procedures, with a particular focus on the Epoch of Reionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, or intensity mapping.
• Support the development and continual refinement of the science operational model for the SKA-Low Telescope, including the software needed.
• Provide user support to the scientific community including ensuring the broadest possible accessibility to SKA observing time and data.
• Effectively collaborate with SKAO Science Operations staff across the three sites; some travel to the SKA-Mid Telescope site in South Africa and SKAO Global Headquarters in the UK could be required.
• Optionally undertake a programme of personal research up to 25% of employed hours.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as directed.

Mandatory Criteria

• A doctorate or equivalent experience in astronomy, physics, engineering, or closely related field.
• Expertise in radio astronomy techniques including in the acquisition, reduction and analysis of interferometric astronomical data.
• An appreciation, understanding of and demonstrated experience in the radio astronomy science cases motivating the SKA Observatory, in particular in the areas of the Epoch of Reionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, and/or intensity mapping.
• Demonstrated aptitude to undertake scientific facility operation, provide user support and translate the needs of the user to requirements and/or operational policies.
• Demonstrated aptitude to work collaboratively across disciplines, with engineers and scientists from a variety of cultures, contributing to an inclusive team environment.
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
• An awareness of, and commitment to, equitable practices, including accessibility, to facilitate broad access to the Observatory.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with, or understanding of, ionospheric and direction-dependent calibration techniques relevant to the frequencies of the SKA-Low Telescope.
• Experience understanding and articulating the needs of a user (e.g. radio astronomer) to inform the development of requirements (e.g. through a series of use cases) and/or operational policies.