Lab Specialist Intermediate

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks applications for a Lab Specialist Intermediate with advanced training and background in astrophysics instrumentation.

Among their primary responsibilities, the technician is expected to backfill some of the duties of present department staff who have temporarily taken on an increased workload due to ongoing renovations of the facilities at Fan Mountain Observatory.

The successful applicant will therefore actively participate in some or all of the following research activities carried out by the faculty of the UVa Department of Astronomy:

• assist in the development of radio, microwave, and infrared instrumentation for astronomical observatories, including Simons Observatory (Chile), Green Bank Observatory (West Virginia), Apache Point Observatory (New Mexico), and Fan Mountain Observatory (Virginia)
• analyze data from this instrumentation
• be available and physically able to work periodically on-site at these observatories (note that the Simons Observatory is located in the high Atacama Desert in Northern Chile at an altitude of 17,000 feet)
• develop and analyze data from microwave spectrometers used for the search for axions
• develop polymer ceramic composite materials for cryogenically cooled refractive optics
• test varieties of kinetic inductance detectors in the laboratory
• build new readout systems based on field-programmable data arrays.                  `

The Laboratory Specialist Intermediate will report to Bradley Johnson, Associate Professor of Astronomy.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience: 6 years of experience in a lab technician role. A Master's degree may substitute for required experience. 9 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Preferred candidates will have a Master's Degree In Astrophysics.

For additional information about the position, please contact Bradley Johnson, Associate Professor of Astronomy, at [email protected].

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing.

This position is primarily located in Charlottesville, VA but does require travel. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. Anticipated Hiring Range will be commensurate with education and experience. This is an exempt level, benefited position.

For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

This position will remain open until filled. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.