ISAAC NEWTON GROUP OF TELESCOPES
SUPPORT ASTRONOMER
The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) invites applications for a Support Astronomer to fill a recent vacancy.
ING is based on the island of La Palma in the Canaries, where it is responsible for the operation of the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) the largest and most advanced operational optical telescope in Europe and the state-of-the –art 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope. The telescopes are located in the multi-national Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, 2400 metres above sea-level.
The ING is funded by a partnership of
agencies from the
The ING is pursuing a vigorous world-class optical and IR development programme. A recent achievement has been the commissioning of the integral field spectrograph OASIS at the adaptive Optics focal station of the WHT. In the coming months, we expect to commission a new IR imaging spectrograph, LIRIS, as well.
In support of these programmes, the ING is seeking to fill this post for which the following profile is sought.
Qualifications, knowledge and skills
Applicants must have a PhD in astronomy together with a good understanding of astronomical instrumentation. A strong interest in the development of the instrumentation suite at the ING telescopes is essential and previous experience of instrument building or commissioning would therefore be a plus. The ability to work effectively with engineering staff in order to diagnose and solve technical problems, plus a strong and competitive research programme, are essential requirements.
Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English (and in Spanish would be an advantage) be self-motivated and good team players with effective problem-solving and inter-personal skills and must be capable of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
The successful candidate will spend the majority of his or her time in support of ING's operations and development programmes. However, time will also be available to pursue personal research. We expect successful applicants to have a vigorous personal research programme and be able to compete successfully for observing time on major astronomical facilities. Applications from candidates whose research interests complement the ING's development programme would be especially welcome.
Duties
The main responsibilities of the successful applicant will include the provision of night-time support and scientific and technical advice to visiting astronomers, as well as the performance of service and queue observing. The postholder will also be responsible for, as an instrument specialist, the effective operation of a scientific instrument or instruments. Opportunities may also exist for the postholder to participate and contribute to the upgrade of existing, or development of new, instrumentation.
The successful candidate will report to the ING's Head of Astronomy Group.
The work will be split between the telescopes at the ORM and the ING's sea level base located in the island's capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma. The postholder will be available for night-time support on a roster basis. A full, current, driving licence is essential, as is the ability to work at an altitude of 2400m.
As per the agreement between the ING and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) the researchers will be encouraged to establish scientific and technical collaborations with IAC research staff. Scientific and instrumental programmes at the IAC are described at http://www.iac.es A scientist actively collaborating with IAC research groups will be eligible for double affiliation with the ING and the IAC, providing access to IAC research funding.
Contractual information
The successful candidate will be employed
by the ING under Spanish terms and conditions of employment. Starting salary will be €33.375 rising to
€35,133 after one year (subject to revision for the 2003 pay settlement). The duration of the contract is expected to
be 3 years, subject to annual review of both research and support performance. A relocation package may be available for
candidates moving from outside of the
Applications
Applications should be received at ING by
Lucy
Lawler,
ING,
Apartado
de Correos 321,
38700
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Canary
Islands
Email: lal@ing.iac.es
Fax: +34 922 425401
Further information
Further information on this position is
available from the Head of ING's Astronomy Group, Dr