Archived Job Ad

ALMA Postdoctoral Fellow Position - National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)

No. 25062
Position/Title: ALMA Postdoctoral Fellow Position
Institution: National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)

Submit Resumes To:
Attention: Human Resources - CV4917
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
520 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
USA

URL1: http://www.nrao.edu/administration/personnel_office/careers.shtml
(Careers Page)
URL2:
URL3:

Email Submission Address: resumes@nrao.edu
Email Inquiries: awootten@nrao.edu

The closing date for receipt of applications: 01/05/2009 (Application date has passed)

Job Description:

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory invites applications for an ALMA Postdoctoral Fellow position with the Commissioning team in Chile. When completed in 2012, ALMA will be the most powerful (sub)millimeter interferometer ever constructed, and will transform our understanding of topics ranging from the formation of nearby protoplanetary disks to the earliest epochs of galaxy formation. This position is assigned to the ALMA project with operational duties in Chile. The position is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation through the ALMA Construction Project and as an international staff position will exist during the construction period through 2011. There may be possibilities to transfer to the observatory science operations team during or after construction.

The role of the ALMA Postdoctoral Fellow will be to assist the ALMA Commissioning Team in planning and executing the scientific commissioning of ALMA. As a member of the commissioning team, the successful applicant will work on preparing specific test procedures and trouble-shooting them, carrying out measurements, processing data and producing reports. Example assignments might include tasks such as measuring the properties of individual antennas, testing and calibrating the various interferometric observing modes, and moving on to verifying the quality of the scientific data that ALMA produces.

The successful applicant will have a Ph.D. in astronomy or physics and an established record of scientific and technical publications. Experience with radio, especially millimeter, observations and the related data reduction software is essential, as well as a proven track record of scientific research. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in commissioning and/or operating centimeter or millimeter interferometers and/or (sub)millimeter single-dish telescopes and instruments. A good command of the English language, proven communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, including astronomers and system/software engineers, are essential. Conference and observing travel are supported. Computing resources, page charge support, vacation accrual, health insurance, and a moving allowance are also provided. The initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of extending for a third year.

This position is based in Santiago and the Operations Support Facility near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The successful applicant will be required to spend a significant amount of time working at the ALMA sites at OSF (2900m elevation) and occasionally at the Array Operations Site (5000m elevation). A successful high altitude medical check is a necessary condition for this position.

Applications should include a brief summary of past and planned independent scientific research, relevant previous experience, curriculum vitae, and a brief cover letter. Applicants should also arrange to have three reference letters sent directly to NRAO by the deadline below. All materials (including references) should be submitted to mailto:resumes@nrao.edu with CV4917 in the subject line (with the exception of references, application materials should be concatenated into a single pdf file). Questions regarding this position should be directed to Al Wootten (awootten@nrao.edu). Applications received by January 5, 2009, will receive full consideration. NRAO is an Equal Opportunity Employer - women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Archived Job Ad