Job Advertisement: Operational Support Scientists (Radio Astronomy)
Published: 12 May 2017
Two enthusiastic Operational Support Scientists are required to join Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (JBCA) and The University of Manchester to further develop and support the work of our world leading facilities at Jodrell Bank Observatory and across the eMerlin/VLBI National Facility. With responsibility for designing, developing and maintaining software systems for the control and monitoring of all the radio telescopes operated by JBCA and the development of astronomical data analysis software together with interfacing to hardware.
Closing Date: 31/05/2017
Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics
The University of Manchester
Operational Support Scientists (Radio Astronomy) – 2 posts Closing Date: 31/05/2017
Employment Type: Fixed Term, Full Time (3 year duration)
Salary: GBP 31,076 to GBP 38,183 per annum
Job Reference: S&E-09971
Job Link: https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/displayjob.aspx?jobid=13306
Facilitating and developing the operations of the telescopes, whilst also supporting their scientific use, will be the focus of your daily work. This will involve taking part in daily operations, including: scheduling user observations; quality control of scientific observations; executing and analysing test observations for performance assessment and providing support to facility users.
With an understanding of radio telescopes, observational and data processing techniques in astronomy, you will have experience and/or an interest in operational aspects of radio astronomy facilities. You will need to respond to failures outside normal working hours to ensure safety, protect valuable equipment and minimise loss of observations. You will have good diagnostic skills, excellent communications skills and be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Initially funded for 3 years, on a full-time basis, the posts are located at the Jodrell Bank Observatory Campus, part of JBCA, in Cheshire, with some travel to the main University campus in Manchester.
