NRAO-Assistant Scientist (CASA Liaison)

Position Summary:

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s mission is to enable forefront research into the Universe at radio wavelengths. In partnership with the scientific community, we:

• Provide world leading telescopes, instrumentation and expertise,

• Train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and

• Promote astronomy to foster a more scientifically literate society.

The NRAO is recruiting a staff scientist with 75% time for functional duties and 25% time for independently directed research. Functional time will be spent in working jointly in the Algorithms R&D Group (ARDG) and the CASA group for the development of RFI mitigation/removal, calibration and imaging algorithms.

The CASA package is the primary data reduction package for both the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), in addition to many other radio observatories around the world. NRAO staff scientists are also expected to devote 25% of their time on independently directed research program in synergy with NRAO facilities and goals. Active and engaged research is considered important because staff scientists are expected to push the telescopes’ capabilities in this position via active algorithms R&D built on their own research and the needs of the broader astronomical community.

The staff scientist recruited for this position will become a part of the wide range of scientific research carried out at NRAO, including algorithmic research. NRAO staff scientists are also expected to support the Observatory and community through functional duties.

For this position, such duties might include working in areas like:

• Enhancing the observing capabilities of NRAO telescopes;

• Production of Science Ready Data Products;

• Design (and possibly testing, via the VLA) of the Next Generation VLA (ngVLA). or other areas, as dictated by the needs of the observatory and the skills and interests of the successful applicant.

The ideal candidate will contribute to the overall NRAO mission and must be able to demonstrate the ability to work within a collaborative environment that promotes motivation, leadership and team building, in both scientific and functional  areas. NRAO staff scientists are expected to be versatile and flexible in their science and functional work to adapt to new challenges and opportunities as NRAO and the astronomical landscape evolve.

In addition to competitive pay, the NRAO provides excellent paid time off benefits (vacation and sick leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective first day of employment. Our retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay. No contribution is required of the employee; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Job Duties Summary:

This position entails both independent research (25%) and functional responsibilities (75%). For functional duties, the successful candidate will work with the NRAO Algorithms R&D Group and the CASA group and will be expected to carry out research in developing algorithms relevant to the NRAO telescopes and their implementation, support and maintenance in the CASA package for delivery to the users. Algorithms R&D for this position will being with algorithms for RFI removal/mitigation to enable the delivery of Science Ready Data Products, though research in calibration and imaging or post-imaging analysis algorithms is also relevant for this position.

As appropriate, the scientist will also contribute to CASA development and maintenance as part of the CASA team. Work will require advanced programming in C++ and Python, use of the CASA package and high performance computing. Personal research plan for algorithm R&D of relevance to NRAO telescopes and evidence of prior development work in the CASA software system will be an advantage in this position. Opportunities exist for advising both students and postdocs through internal and external support.

Appointments will preferably be for residence in Socorro, New Mexico on the campus of NMT (www.nmt.edu), but residence in Charlottesville, Virginia on the grounds of UVA (http://www.virginia.edu/) will also be considered.

The appointment is expected to be made at the level of Assistant Scientist; in exceptional cases, a higher rank will be considered.

Position Requirements:

Minimum Education

PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, applied mathematics, Computer Science or related fields.

Minimum Experience

One year or more of experience in radio astronomical algorithms R&D and scientific software development as part of PhD, postdoctoral or similar level of work.

Preferred Experience:

• Established record of algorithms R&D relevant to radio astronomy in terms of published papers and/or software

• Familiarity with the basic mathematical framework of modern algorithms in radio interferometric data processing

• Established record of programming and debugging in C++ and Python

• Experience in scientific testing of new algorithms and software

• Experience in parallel processing using clusters and special purpose hardware (like GPUs)

• Experience with advanced usage of the CASA package and High Performance Computing

Applicant Instructions: Before you apply, you will need the following materials, combined in a single file, to upload with your application:

1. Cover letter stating why the candidate is interested in this position – the letter should describe how the candidate  matches the position and qualifications summarized above (no more than 3 pages)

2. Curriculum vitae including publications list

3. Summary of past research (2 pages)

4. Future research plan describing specifically use of, and synergies with, NRAO facilities (3 pages)

5. Summary of past technical and observational experience relevant to this position (2 pages)

Each applicant should arrange for letters of reference to be submitted by three individuals ("referees") familiar with her or his scientific abilities directly to [email protected].

These letters MUST be received by September 30, 2016 (referees should use the format file name "ApplicantName_Sci3281_ref.pdf”). Applicants are responsible for ensuring that letters of reference have been sent by referees. All required application documents, with the exception of referee letters, should be combined into a single file and uploaded when the application is submitted. The deadline for receipt of complete applications is September 30, 2016. Please direct inquiries to Sanjay Bhatnagar ([email protected]).

The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)