SUPPORT SCIENTIST

JIVE is seeking candidates for fixed-term appointment SUPPORT SCIENTIST to be located at JIVE, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands.

The European VLBI Network (EVN) is an interferometric array of radio telescopes spread throughout Europe, extending into Africa and Asia, and often observes in conjunction with the e-MERLIN interferometer in the UK and the VLBA in the US.  The Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE) is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, hosted in Dwingeloo by ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy.  JIVE's primary mission is to operate the EVN VLBI correlator and provide front-line support to EVN users and member telescopes. JIVE is dedicated to advancing VLBI world-wide, and promotes the inclusion of the Square Kilometre Array and other new facilities to carry out cutting-edge research (SKA-VLBI). JIVE serves as the central radio node of the Joint Centres of Expertise within 
the ACME project to support multi-messenger astronomy.  JIVE is actively developing new correlator capabilities to aid the scientific exploitation of real-time e-VLBI.

For further information regarding JIVE and the EVN, refer to www.jive.eu and www.evlbi.org.  

Job description:

We invite applications for two JIVE Support Scientist positions becoming available in October 2025. The positions have a 50-50 split between support duties and the appointee's own research. 

Principal support responsibilities include:

• Assisting EVN users in all aspects of their VLBI experiments, including data reduction support, both in-person as well as on-line.
• Monitoring EVN performance through dedicated test observations and liaison with the network telescopes.
• Overseeing the correlation of experiments and data-quality review.
• Developing scripts/software for correlator and user support, including features of the EVN pipeline, with view towards creating more science-ready products.
• Testing new correlator/network capabilities.

The position also provides the opportunity to pursue your own active personal research programme. The proximity of Dutch universities and interaction with other radio-astronomy institutes throughout Europe provides for a vibrant research atmosphere. The JIVE staff actively pursues scientific research in areas ranging from AGN, galactic/extra-galactic transients, star formation & stellar evolution, to planetary science. Preference for one of the positions would be afforded to experience in spectral-line VLBI.

The position may also involve a modest amount of other local-service duties, such as installing and maintaining astronomy software, organizing colloquia, and contributing to public outreach, depending on the skills and interests of the appointee.

Job requirements:

The candidate should have earned a PhD in astronomy or other relevant field by the time of taking up the position.  Experience in radio interferometry techniques, and in particular in VLBI processing software would be a plus. A good command of written and spoken English is essential. A demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams, as well as a facility to interact openly with external astronomers and technicians form key attributes of the support role.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labor Agreement Research Institutions.  Recognizing that serendipitous collaboration often sparks some of the best ideas and solutions to complex problems, we strive to work at least 60% of our time at JIVE.  Hybrid working options can be mutually considered in order to address exceptional cases.

We offer:

• A full-time 38-hour per week temporary appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of two years, which can be extended for a third year based on good performance.
• A gross monthly salary, on a full-time basis, in the range of 4168 to 4655 euros, depending on relevant experience.
• A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.33% of the gross annual salary.
• A solid pension scheme (ABP).
• 42 vacation days per year on a full-time basis.
• An excellent package of secondary benefits, including relocation expenses, participation in the collective health-care insurance, and parental-leave opportunities.
• Beautiful premises in the heart of one of Drenthe's National Parks.

At JIVE, we are dedicated to increasing staff diversity and creating a safe and inclusive workplace.  We offer an environment where you work alongside experts from various fields, in a culture of mutual support and respect. Where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive and grow.

We strongly believe that progress, creativity, and innovation are only possible in an inclusive and diverse environment. Therefore, we value the unique skills and qualities you can bring to the table.  While there are fundamental expectations for the support scientist position, please note that not ticking all the traditional boxes does not necessarily diminish our interest in your application. Therefore,  we warmly welcome everyone to apply, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, or medical history.

Information:

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. R.M. Campbell ([email protected]), Head of Science Operations, or Dr. Z. Paragi ([email protected]), Head of User Support. For information about the procedure, please contact [email protected].