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| Observing Programme Office Astronomer | Closing date: 2021-09-30
Contact: Human Resources |
| The core mission of the Observing Programme Office (OPO), within the Directorate for Science, covers two main aspects: the handling of the ESO observing programmes (from the preparation and issuing of the Call for Proposal to the organisation of the Observing Programme Committee ? OPC ? meeting) and the subsequent scheduling of those proposals that were evaluated positively by the OPC. | | ▸ more | Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The Astronomer at the Observing Programmes Office (OPO) is responsible for supporting the preparation and selection of observing proposals and the scheduling of the selected observing runs for all ESO telescopes. The OPO Astronomer prepares the Call for Observing Proposals for the La Silla Paranal Observatory. He/she is responsible for the handling of the Phase 1 proposals, and supports users during the Phase 1 proposal preparation and submission phase. He/she prepares telescope time allocation statistics. Further to this, the OPO Astronomer supports the recruitment of the Observing Programmes Committee and Panel members. He/she is responsible for fostering strong key relationships and maintaining good communication with the following key stakeholders:
_Internal: Office of the Director General, VLT and VLTI Programme Scientists, User Support Department, Paranal Science Operations, SCS Software Engineers, ESO Archive, ESO Council, ESO Scientific Technical Committee, ESO Users Committee.
_External: Principal Investigators, Member-state institutes, Observing Programmes Committee, high-level academic or governmental officers in the Member States.
As a member of the ESO Astronomy Faculty, the OPO Astronomer is expected and encouraged to conduct a strong personal research programme and to participate actively in the scientific life of ESO.
Observing Programme Office Astronomer
Reports to:
Head of the Observing Programme Office
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience
_Active research programme and a robust publication record;
_Minimum one postdoc in a scientific research institute;
_Early-career working experience in large, international scientific facilities;
_Minimum two years of demonstrated user experience with the ESO workflow, telescopes and instrumentation;
_Demonstrated experience with general Optical and NIR observing techniques;
_Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders as described;
_Provide clear and concise written and verbal communications that identify key issues, examine options and
propose ways forward; and
_Build strong collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and countries.
Desirable Competences and Experience
_Demonstrated experience with user support;
_Early-career experience in modern observatory operations;
_Demonstrated experience with peer-review processes;
_Working experience with relational databases, SQL and Python scripting;
_Demonstrated experience with Artificial Intelligence and its application to textual analysis;
_Seek to understand the perspective of key decision makers and partners ? think through their needs and
interests to identify their personal motives and agenda;
_Determine a course of action that makes logical sense and considers the overall impact of the decision; and
_Foster an open environment within the team through sharing of information, learning and ideas.
Qualifications:
PhD in Astronomy or equivalent.
Language skills:
Excellent command of the English language, both oral and written, is essential.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension
scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the
possibility to place your child/children in daycare.
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance
(https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life.
ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#familyfriendly-
support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private
responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation
period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements,
and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit
ESO's conditions of employment. Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning
fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions
applicable to this position.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany with regular duty trips to all ESO sites in Chile.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international
environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at https://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter, and a CV containing a publication list and a research statement. Also required are the names and contact details of three scientists familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation
letter. Referees will be automatically invited to submit a recommendation letter. However, applicants are strongly
advised to trigger these invitations (using the web application form) well in advance of the application deadline.
Closing date for applications is 30 September 2021.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
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