Assistant Staff Scientist

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Archive Date: 
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Scientific/Technical Staff
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
MMT Observatory
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Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

The MMT Observatory (MMTO), a joint venture of the University of Arizona and the Smithsonian Institution, is seeking an astronomer to join the MMT team as an assistant staff scientist. The MMTO operates a 6.5-m telescope at the summit of Mt. Hopkins (elevation 8550 feet), approximately 40 miles south of Tucson, Arizona.

This position will be based at the MMTO offices in the Steward Observatory building on the campus of the University of Arizona but will require frequent travel, both night and day, to the telescope site on Mt. Hopkins. The selected candidate will assume the role of cognizant instrument scientist for some of our facility class instruments. The incumbent will also support all other activities associated with nighttime operation including PI instrumentation, wavefront sensing, topbox operation, instrument calibration, and primary and secondary mirror support.

The scientist will be expected to establish procedures to measure the performance of the telescope and instrumentation, recommend instrument maintenance schedules and document the results for both the staff and the user community. They will also be responsible for maintaining public documentation describing the proper use of the facility instruments and calibration units. They will be responsible for leading the queue observing program including software development, algorithm design, and system integration. The assistant staff scientist will be expected to work to identify and solve any inefficiencies or bottlenecks in nighttime operations.

Knowledge of advanced instrumentation, astronomical imaging and spectroscopy, data reduction and analysis, and instrument calibration are desirable. We are specifically seeking someone with a very strong background in software development and some experience with system administration. The scientist will be encouraged to seek external funding to sustain an independent research program that utilizes the MMT. This position will include the additional functional title of Assistant Astronomer at Steward Observatory to allow access to their facilities.

To apply go to http://uacareers.com/postings/10443 or search for posting #A20787 at https://uacareers.com/. Application reviews begin 7/5/16. The University of Arizona is an EEO/AA Employer-M/W/D/V.

 

Included Benefits: 

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Application Deadline: 
Friday, July 8, 2016
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
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Attention To: 
Barbara Russ
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