SKA-Mid Commissioning Scientists

The Role

As part of the construction of the SKA-Mid Telescope, a team of commissioning scientists is needed for planning, executing, and analyzing test observations. This recruitment aims to hire the first four roles, with the team expanding over the next 12 months. At the end of the construction phase of the project the SKA-Mid Science Operations team will be recruiting more positions. Should applicants applying for this role possess the relevant skills, and these are tested at interview and assessment, then they may receive the offer of a permanent contract. Other applicants may receive offers for this role based on a 4-year fixed term contract but will of course have the opportunity to apply for further roles with the Observatory following the completion of their contract. Commissioning activities will commence immediately and will continue through to initial operations of the telescope. 

Two skill sets are required: organisational and technical. Therefore we aim to fill four posts, including one Lead. Depending on applicants' experience, one of the other posts may be at the Senior level:

• Lead Commissioning Scientist: Manages the commissioning team. Capable of leading the group, planning and documenting tests, and organising interactions with external stakeholders.
• Senior Commissioning Scientist: Acts as technical lead for the group and mentor to less experienced members. Must have significant commissioning experience and a deep understanding of interferometric radio astronomy and system issues. Quite likely to prefer secondment.
• Commissioning Scientist: Familiar with the operation of radio interferometric arrays and with high potential to develop  commissioning skills.

The Lead reports to the Head of System Science and the SKA-Mid Telescope Director. The remaining positions will handle specific technical areas under the Lead's direction.

Please indicate on your application whether you would like to be considered for the Lead Commissioning Scientist position.

Research and Career Progression:

The appointees will be encouraged to carry out research in astronomy or astronomical instrumentation at a level commensurate with the requirements of the post (typically 25%) and in particular to exploit early opportunities with the SKA. Appropriate support, including conference travel, will be provided.

These roles are primarily based in Cape Town, South Africa, with occasional travel to the UK and Karoo. Applications to be based in the UK will be considered in exceptional cases.

SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment: we believe you perform your best when you have a healthy work-life balance. We are open to discussing flexible working opportunities with these roles being offered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis. Please raise your preference in your application.

We encourage applications from under-represented groups such as women and individuals with disabilities, as well as open conversations during the recruitment process in relation to any specific requirements.

There will be occasions where these roles require 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.

Informal enquiries may be made to Robert Laing, Head of System Science ([email protected]).

Key Responsibilities

The primary tasks of the Science Commissioning group are:

• Take responsibility for science commissioning tasks including but not limited to: planning, execution and analysis of test observations on the telescope array. The group will work closely with the System Science Group based at GHQ (UK), which has oversight of commissioning of both SKA Telescopes.
• Submit both written and verbal reports on the analysis done during the commissioning activities.
• Close collaboration with engineering (hardware and software) groups involved in construction to verify aspects of the system and to identify and suggest corrections as needed. There will be a particularly close interaction with the Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) Group based in Cape Town, South Africa to verify the top-level engineering requirements of the array.
• Maintain a close interaction with the Science Operations Group, in particular to support Science Verification.
• Create the documentation for commissioning test procedures, initially for the early deployment of SKA-Mid.

Further, the Lead Commissioning Scientist requires additional essential criteria, as follows:

• Lead the SKA-Mid Science Commissioning Group.
• Take responsibility for detailed planning of the science commissioning of the SKA-Mid Telescope.
• Oversee the development, execution and documentation of astronomical test procedures, initially for the early deployment of SKA-Mid.
• Take responsibility for specific technical areas.
• Maintain close and effective collaboration with Engineering (AIV), Science Operations and System Science groups.