Call for Applications: ALMA Ambassadors Program

The North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC) is now accepting applications for the 2021 ALMA Ambassadors Postdoctoral Program. The program provides training and up to a $10,000 USD research grant (other forms of payment are available, see below) to postdoctoral researchers interested in expanding their ALMA/radio interferometry expertise and sharing that knowledge with their home (or other) institutions through the organization of ALMA Cycle 8 proposal preparation workshops, and by serving as a local ALMA expert to colleagues up until the proposal deadline.

The NAASC will host selected postdocs at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia the week of 15 February 2021 to receive in-depth training. This mandatory training will include topics related to ALMA proposal writing, including interferometry basics, ALMA science capabilities, recent ALMA headlines, and use of the ALMA Observing Tool, as well as guidance for speaking on these topics. The training also includes a poster session where ALMA Ambassadors are expected to showcase their own science to their fellow ambassadors and the local astronomical community, including NRAO staff. The selected postdocs must host a proposal preparation workshop (at their home institution or an alternate location) in advance of the Cycle 8 ALMA proposal deadline in April 2021. These workshops are similar to an abbreviated version of Community Day and NRAO Live! events from previous observing cycles. ALMA Ambassadors will also make themselves available to help their local community between the call for proposals and the deadline.

The NAASC will provide travel support for the training as well as all talk materials, supplies, and infrastructure for the workshops hosted by the ALMA Ambassadors. Up to a $10,000 monetary grant is offered in support of the selected postdocs' independent research programs. If the awardee is not able to receive the monetary grant, the NAASC can offer up to $10,000 in science travel reimbursement (must be used within 12 months of training) or up to $10,000 for the host institution to support students or summer researchers.

Postdocs with some radio or submillimeter interferometry experience are preferred. Postdocs must be based at a North American institution. If you do not meet these requirements but are interested in learning more about the training we are offering, please contact the North American ALMA Science Center to discuss possible opportunities. Although not required, we will consider multiple applicants from the same institution or region.

The deadline to apply is 23 October 2020. For more information, please visit the ALMA Ambassadors Program website.

Information on previous ALMA Ambassadors and Community Day events can be found on the ALMA website.