The ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) department at ESO provides the interface between the European ALMA Users Community and the ALMA observatory in Chile. In coordination with the ARCs in the other ALMA partner regions, the ARC at ESO promotes and provides support of the highest standards to the ALMA user community and to ALMA observatory global operations. The ESO ARC provides important services for the development and operation of ALMA, including software development and testing, Call for Proposals and observation preparations, participation in observing shifts at the ALMA observatory, delivery of quality-assured data products for principal investigators and archive users, and optimisation of capabilities. ALMA is currently undergoing an ambitious upgrade - the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) - and the ARC is heavily involved in the planning, investigations, and preparatory activities required for the transition to WSU operations.
The ARC at ESO is looking for a scientist to help with core ARC duties, particularly the preparation of observations, as well as tasks leading to the optimization of science operations. These core duties are carried out in coordination with colleagues at the ESO ARC, the European ARC network, and the other ALMA partners.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Play a key role in the preparation of ALMA observations; this task includes, but is not limited to, preparing Scheduling Blocks (SBs) for approved ALMA observations, including those for modes that require extra considerations such as Total Power, Full Polarization, Solar, Target of Opportunity and time constrained observations.
2. Contribute to the optimisation of the observation preparation process.
3. Perform general ARC duties, including answering Helpdesk tickets, contributing to testing of tools and playing a proactive role in the improvement of user documentation.
4. Undertake Astronomer-on-Duty shifts in Chile.
5. Constructively work together with other ARC staff and ALMA operations staff around the globe.
6. Conduct astronomical research for up to 20% of the time.
7. The tasks are not limited to the above and a flexible approach and willingness and capability to adapt is required.
Reports to:
The post holder reports to the Head of the ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) Department. The ARC is a department of currently 13 highly skilled and motivated staff and is part of the ESO ALMA Support Centre (EASC) division.
Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience
8. Practical experience with astronomical observations, not necessarily radio interferometry.
9. Excellent cross-disciplinary communication skills, both oral and written.
10. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team, have an eagerness to contribute to team performance, and a positive approach toward building links across teams in an international multi-cultural environment.
11. Good critical thinking and problem-solving skills, demonstrated by a pro-active approach to contribute ideas for improvement and future developments.
12. Flexibility in adapting to changes of requirements and priorities as well as of assignments.
13. Good time management and prioritisation skills.
14. Open and friendly attitude to interact with a variety of users.
Desirable Competences and Experience
15. Working knowledge of radio interferometric astronomical observations, including common calibration steps.
Qualifications:
Essential educational level: PhD in Astronomy, Physics or equivalent.
Language skills:
Excellent working knowledge of English.