Job openings
Service Observer (two positions) - posted May 30, 2015
Open until filled - Applications submitted by June 30 will receive full consideration
Aspiring to be the first of the ELTs and one of the leading 8-m class telescopes, the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) is offering state-of-the art instruments that efficiently and reliably deliver high-quality data to its users, thus enabling excellent science at the forefront of astronomy. In order to reach the highest observing efficiency possible at its site on Mt Graham (Eastern Arizona), LBTO is preparing to move from classical observing to queue observing in service mode.
LBTO seeks two enthusiastic individuals, for whom observing at a telescope is a passion, to become the first LBTO Service Observers. A bachelor’s degree in astronomy is the minimum requirement, though a more advanced astronomy-related degree will be welcome. Extensive experience as an optical and/or near infrared observer is also required. A genuine interest in enabling forefront astronomical research is mandatory.
The Service Observers (SO) will be in charge of nighttime observations in a multi-instrument queue environment, using wide-field imagers, visible multi-object spectrographs, AO-enabled near-infrared imager/multi-object spectrographs, and eventually a unique, very high-resolution fiber-fed visible spectrograph. In phase I of queue operations, the SO will choose, according to the current environmental conditions at the observatory, the programs to execute at any given time from programs pre-selected by staff astronomers prior to the night. The SO will ultimately run the observations assisted only by artificial intelligence.
The SO will be a member of the science operation staff and based in Tucson on the University of Arizona campus. Most of the work will take place in observing shifts at the telescope on Mt Graham (3200m elevation), where the SO will work alongside an observing support assistant who will monitor and run the telescope and observatory infrastructure during observing.
If observational astronomy is your passion and if you meet the requirements, please apply.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for employee and qualified family members; access to campus cultural and recreational activities; state retirement, and more.
More information on the UA Employee Benefits: http://www.hr.arizona.edu/benefits
Resources for UA Prospective Employees: http://employment.arizona.edu/
To apply for this job, please follow this link.
LBTO seeks two enthusiastic individuals, for whom observing at a telescope is a passion, to become the first LBTO Service Observers. A bachelor’s degree in astronomy is the minimum requirement, though a more advanced astronomy-related degree will be welcome. Extensive experience as an optical and/or near infrared observer is also required. A genuine interest in enabling forefront astronomical research is mandatory.
The Service Observers (SO) will be in charge of nighttime observations in a multi-instrument queue environment, using wide-field imagers, visible multi-object spectrographs, AO-enabled near-infrared imager/multi-object spectrographs, and eventually a unique, very high-resolution fiber-fed visible spectrograph. In phase I of queue operations, the SO will choose, according to the current environmental conditions at the observatory, the programs to execute at any given time from programs pre-selected by staff astronomers prior to the night. The SO will ultimately run the observations assisted only by artificial intelligence.
The SO will be a member of the science operation staff and based in Tucson on the University of Arizona campus. Most of the work will take place in observing shifts at the telescope on Mt Graham (3200m elevation), where the SO will work alongside an observing support assistant who will monitor and run the telescope and observatory infrastructure during observing.
If observational astronomy is your passion and if you meet the requirements, please apply.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for employee and qualified family members; access to campus cultural and recreational activities; state retirement, and more.
More information on the UA Employee Benefits: http://www.hr.arizona.edu/benefits
Resources for UA Prospective Employees: http://employment.arizona.edu/
To apply for this job, please follow this link.
You can search the vacant positions at University of Arizona (and LBTO) by visiting the Human Resources web page here: https://www.uacareertrack.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will non-U.S. residents be considered?
A: Yes. The LBTO is an international observatory with partners from 3 countries. We are able to support visas for non-US citizens on a case-by-case basis.
Q: When will the positions be filled and what is the anticipated start date?
A: We hope to fill these two positions as soon as possible. We anticipate start dates ranging from mid-summer/early fall.
Q: What is the anticipated salary range?
A: Salary will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis
Q: What will the typical schedule for an SO look like? Will there be both day and night shifts? Office work?
A:
Q: What is the duration of this position?
A: LBTO is a department of the University of Arizona. All Appointed Staff at the University of Arizona are on one year contracts. However, if both employee and employer are mutually satisfied, that contract is renewable, with no cap on the number of renewals.
Q: Will SOs reside in Tucson?
A: A significant component of an SO’s work will be at LBTO on the Mt. Graham summit near Safford. Living quarters (dormitories) on the mountain are provided for the duration of the shift. Many of the staff have homes in Tucson and commute for their mountain shift, which are often 7 days. Given that attendance at staff meetings and office work in our headquarters in Tucson will be mandatory, we suggest Tucson and the outlying areas as a domicile. However, we are also willing to work with those that may like to commute from other nearby locations.
Q: Do you support science activities for Ph.Ds interested in this position?
A: We are happy to consider Ph.Ds who are interested in transitioning into a non-research career path, but the focus of the service observer will be queue observing on the summit. In general, science activities will not be supported.
Q Do you financially support travel to science meetings and/or page changes?
A. As stated above, while we are interested in Ph.Ds who are interested in transitioning into a non-research career path, the service observing position is not a step on a career path for a research scientist and is not an astronomer position. Thus, we cannot commit to supporting regular scientific travel or page charges. The observatory may request and support travel or training related to career development within the framework of observatory support, queue observing, or observatory business.
Q: Will non-U.S. residents be considered?
A: Yes. The LBTO is an international observatory with partners from 3 countries. We are able to support visas for non-US citizens on a case-by-case basis.
Q: When will the positions be filled and what is the anticipated start date?
A: We hope to fill these two positions as soon as possible. We anticipate start dates ranging from mid-summer/early fall.
Q: What is the anticipated salary range?
A: Salary will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis
Q: What will the typical schedule for an SO look like? Will there be both day and night shifts? Office work?
A:
- Until the anticipated queue data in 2016B, SOs will have nighttime training shifts to learn how to operate the instruments. However, there also will be significant daytime work matched to the SOs skills. This may include programming, software testing, and documentation (web-page, wiki) related to queue development.
- Once queue is operational, observing shifts on the summit will be mandatory. We anticipate that each SO will be on the summit 7-12 days per month, from Sept-June. Shifts will not necessarily be regular and will depend on the observatory’s nighttime planning, but we will generally schedule on a semester-by-semester basis in an effort to respect work/life balance.
- During “off summit” shifts and the monsoon shutdown (July/August) there will also be mandatory office days that may include: documentation improvements, daytime observation of calibrations, meetings, and additional training.
Q: What is the duration of this position?
A: LBTO is a department of the University of Arizona. All Appointed Staff at the University of Arizona are on one year contracts. However, if both employee and employer are mutually satisfied, that contract is renewable, with no cap on the number of renewals.
Q: Will SOs reside in Tucson?
A: A significant component of an SO’s work will be at LBTO on the Mt. Graham summit near Safford. Living quarters (dormitories) on the mountain are provided for the duration of the shift. Many of the staff have homes in Tucson and commute for their mountain shift, which are often 7 days. Given that attendance at staff meetings and office work in our headquarters in Tucson will be mandatory, we suggest Tucson and the outlying areas as a domicile. However, we are also willing to work with those that may like to commute from other nearby locations.
Q: Do you support science activities for Ph.Ds interested in this position?
A: We are happy to consider Ph.Ds who are interested in transitioning into a non-research career path, but the focus of the service observer will be queue observing on the summit. In general, science activities will not be supported.
Q Do you financially support travel to science meetings and/or page changes?
A. As stated above, while we are interested in Ph.Ds who are interested in transitioning into a non-research career path, the service observing position is not a step on a career path for a research scientist and is not an astronomer position. Thus, we cannot commit to supporting regular scientific travel or page charges. The observatory may request and support travel or training related to career development within the framework of observatory support, queue observing, or observatory business.