The Nordic Optical Telescope Scientific Association (NOTSA) invites applications for the post of Director of the 2.56m Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT).
The NOT is jointly operated by the NOTSA member countries. It is located at an altitude of 2400 m at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, on La Palma, Canary Islands. Superb quality of the optics, optimized set of instruments, flexible operation and a unique location allow NOT to successfully compete with much larger telescopes.
Today NOT has an on-site staff of about ten astronomers and technicians, headed by a Deputy Director. The NOT studentship program brings several young people for up to 12 months. Technical and administrative backup is provided from the Nordic countries. The new Director will combine the duties of the Deputy Director and the Chief Executive Officer of NOTSA. He/she will be responsible for operating the NOT observatory according to the policies set by the NOT Council. These responsibilities include the overall scientific, technical and financial planning and management of NOTSA, preparation of observing schedules after proposal evaluation by the Observing Programmes Committee, day-to-day operation and liaison to the funding agencies in the Nordic countries, to the Nordic research communities and to the IAC in La Laguna and other relevant Spanish authorities.The new Director will also have the responsibility for preparation, evaluation and implementation of the large projects for coordinating educational activities.
The NOT Director will be appointed by the NOT Council for an initial period of five years with possibility for renewal. The Director is expected to set up his/her office on La Palma. Appropriate support for travel and secretarial assistance will be provided by NOTSA. The position is to be filled in the second half of 2013.
The applicant should have an excellent research record in observational astronomy as well as a proven record of managerial experience in running an astronomical institute and/or observatory. Fluency in Spanish is helpful, but not required. The relevant documents should be sent to the Chairman of the NOT Council N. Piskunov at Uppsala University.
