NRAO- Assistant/Associate Scientist (open rank)

Position Summary:

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory enables 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 North American ALMA Regional Center (NA ARC) is recruiting for multiple NRAO Assistant/Associate Scientist (open rank) positions. The NA ARC is the science operations division of North American ALMA. It supports the North American astronomical community in using ALMA; as well as providing scientific support for the operations of the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Chile in collaboration with the ALMA international partners. ALMA is entering routine science operations with more than 3000 hours of scientific observations scheduled for each of the upcoming observing cycles.

The NRAO is seeking several qualified candidates to work with and lead teams within the NA ARC.Currently, there are four teams within the NA ARC: Telescope Interface and Diagnostics, ALMA Software Support & Testing, Science Community Interface and Science Data Services and Archive. The staff scientists recruited for these positions are expected to facilitate and enable cutting-edge science by community members and to work to enhance the observing capabilities for ALMA. The ideal candidates will contribute to the overall NRAO mission and must be able to contribute to a collaborative environment that supports leadership and teamwork. All qualified applicants will be considered but we are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas listed below. Which role(s) a candidate is interested in should be clearly addressed by the candidate within their cover letter:

• A candidate interested in a leadership and management role within the NA ARC as a team lead. At this time, a candidate will be selected to lead the Telescope Diagnostic and Interface Team which conducts ALMA    telescope-facing diagnostics and supports telescope operations in Chile.

• A candidate to support telescope operations and carry out diagnostic efforts.

• A candidate to help develop the ALMA calibration and imaging pipelines.

• A candidate interested in broadening participation, engaging the scientific community through workshops, schools, tutorials and face-to-face visitor support and in growing the ALMA user base beyond radio, millimeter and submillimeter expertise.

Note that while we are currently recruiting for the lead of the Telescope Diagnostic and Interface Team, candidates interested in leadership roles for other teams will also be considered. NRAO staff scientists are expected to carry out an independently-directed research program using 25% of their time. An applicant’s research program may be multi-wavelength in nature as long as it has synergies with NRAO facilities, particularly ALMA. Active and engaged research is important because staff scientists are expected to push the telescopes’ capabilities, building on their own research and the needs of the broader astronomical community. Finally, staff scientists are also 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 evolves. Candidates should discuss their versatility and adaptability for functional work in their cover letter and clearly describe their independently-directed research program in their past and future research plan.

Job Duties Summary:

Applicants of all levels will be considered who meet the minimum qualifications. Appointments are expected to be to the NRAO Scientist track, with 25% discretionary research time and 75% functional responsibilities. For functional work, the staff scientist will be a member of the NA ARC and will report to the NA ARC Manager or their designee. Staff scientists within the NA ARC are involved in a variety of scientific support activities such as imaging data and developing imaging techniques, supporting investigators in obtaining and reducing / analyzing data, engaging in community training activities, and supporting telescope operations in Santiago, Chile and at the Operations Support Facility near San Pedro de Atacama. The staff scientist will become an integral member of the NA ARC teams and contribute to the team’s activities under the direction of the NA ARC team lead(s) and NA ARC Manager.

Appointments will be in residence in Charlottesville, Virginia; or potentially other NRAO locations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics or related field

• Two years of postdoctoral work experience or equivalent experience

• Willingness to travel to and work at a remote telescope facility on temporary assignments

Preferred Qualifications:

For all candidates:

• Evidence of ability to function in an observatory setting

• Established record of independent research

• Experience with millimeter/submillimeter astronomy and interferometry

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team

• Familiarity with common software packages used in astronomical research

• Flexibility and adaptability to a changing work environment

Additional, role-specific qualifications that will be advantageous are as follows.

For candidates aiming to support diagnostics and telescope operations:

• Experience in diagnostic analysis of imperfect radio or millimeter data

• Experience developing or commissioning cutting-edge scientific instrumentation

For candidates aiming to contribute to community outreach:

• Demonstrated interest in broadening participation and scientific community outreach

• Multi-wavelength research experience

For candidates aiming to contribute to scientific software and pipeline development

• • Experience developing or testing cutting-edge scientific software
• Experience requirements with  development and tracking
• Working with and debuggin user software and experience working with professional software developers.

For candidates aiming for leadership and management role as a team lead:

• Demonstrated experience leading a team to a successful conclusion
• Ability to fairly delegate tasks among team members
• Strong organizational skills in managing varied tasks
• Experience in matrix management
• Motavated, positive, patient and trustworthy demeanor

Required Application Materials (to be contained in a single .pdf)

1. Cover letter describing how the candidate's education and experience meets the requirements and qualifications described above; please also indicate which role(s) most interest you. (no more than 3 pages.

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Refereed publications list

4. Arrange for 3 Letters of reference to be sent to [email protected] ; we request letter writers to use the format file "ApplicantName_Sci4241_ref.pdf3661.ref.pdf"

5. Summary of past research (no more than 2 pages)

6. Future research plan (no more than 3 pages)

The deadline for receipt of applications is November 30, 2016 at 23:59 ET.

Please direct inquiries to Dr. Brian Mason at: [email protected].

*****************************THE NRAO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (M/F/D/V)********************