Operations Staff Astronomer / Instrument Scientist

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:

- Become instrument scientist for one of the current or future instruments at VLT and ELT. Activities include:

* manage the end-to-end operational and scientific performance, with a system level approach

* define, implement, optimize and characterize new observing modes

* set-up of optimized calibration plans

contribute to the operations-readiness of the upcoming generation of VLT(-I) and ELT systems.

- Contribute to the science operations activities for both visitor and service mode at Paranal Observatory. This includes planning and execution of observations, providing quality assurance and quality control of the scientific data obtained, supporting visiting astronomers, and the calibration of instruments.

- Support the operational development of Paranal towards an integrated VLT-ELT observatory, in the context of the Integrated Operations Programme (IOP).

The successful candidate will be part of ESO's astronomy faculty and be appointed at the level of Assistant or Associate Astronomer. They will be expected and encouraged to carry out a sustainable scientific research program that enables them to:

- Interact at peer level with the user community, including instrument consortia and high-profile researchers

- Understand and drive instrument performance from a scientific point of view

Functional duties are carried out for the equivalent of up to 105 nights per year at the Observatory, in either day, night- or mixed shifts on site. Functional work pursued off-site (e.g. at the ESO campus in Santiago or in mobile work) accordingly reduces the nights required to be spent on site. The rest of the time is spent on personal scientific research at the ESO campus in Santiago. Assessment of overall performance includes both functional duties and personal research.

ESO provides various types of financial support to its faculty members, including but not limited to conference participation and organization, scientific visits, PhD studentships.

Reports to:

The Head of the Paranal Science Operations Department in Chile.

Experience:

We seek a staff astronomer with instrument scientist skills, able to manage the operational and scientific performance of an instrument with an end-to-end perspective. Demonstrated experience in commissioning and/or development of new instruments will be an important asset, with a particular emphasis on system level analysis. We look for someone with excellent observing and/or operational experience in areas relevant to VLT(-I) and ELT instrumentation, with at least 3 years after the PhD.

Key Competences:

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in commissioning and/or development of astronomical instruments, with a particular emphasis on system level analysis.
• Strong background in state-of-the-art observing techniques available at Paranal. Such techniques include interferometry and extreme adaptive optics, high resolution and multi-object spectroscopy, time-resolved photometry, etc in the optical and near-to-mid infrared wavelength regions.
• Excellent observation-oriented research records and a sustainable future research program, that enables them to interact at peer level with the user community, and drive instrument performance from a scientific point of view.
• Deeply familiar with data analysis, both for astronomical data and data that describes instrument performance. Conversant with at least one major data reduction environment (e.g. ESO Reflex, IRAF, IDL)
• Good working knowledge of python.

Desirable:

• Proven ability to identify technical issues and potential risks, and experience with real-time troubleshooting.
• A keen interest in quality control of astronomical data

Very good self-organization and time management is a must, coupled with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks. Communication and interpersonal skills are required, with the ability to adapt and to work efficiently in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and within a team. A strong sense of team spirit is essential.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics or equivalent

Language Skills:

A very good command of the English language - oral, reading and writing is essential.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.

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.

Duty Station:

Paranal (130 km near Antofagasta, North of Chile) and Santiago, Chile.