Gemini Department Heads

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Monday, August 1, 2016
Archive Date: 
Monday, August 29, 2016
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Science Management
Institution Classification/Type: 
Other
Institution/Company: 
Gemini/AURA
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State/Province: 
Country: 
unknown
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Gemini Observatory Instrumentation and Development Opportunities

Gemini Observatory is looking to fill two Department Head positions to manage its instrumentation, adaptive optics, telescope technology, and project management/systems engineering efforts within its Development Division. We can fill these positions in a variety of ways and are looking for the best qualified  people to join our organization. We are seeking people with skills and experience in team management, project management and systems engineering development, instrumentation program leadership, and adaptive optics program leadership. Each Department Head will manage a professional staff of ~8 FTEs that work on a variety of development projects within the Observatory including upgrades of our existing instruments and Adaptive Optics (AO) facilities and our new facility instruments (GHOST and Gen 4#3).  Successful applicants will have the opportunity to lead our Development program into the future with a renewed focus on maximizing opportunities, standardizing our processes, and responding to our user needs and governance directives. 

The Instrumentation or Project Support Department (PSD) Head will manage our staff of Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and Technical Support Associates.  These staff serve as the core management team for our Development projects.  The PSD Head can be filled by either 1) a strong Project Manager and / or Systems Engineer wanting to help the Observatory improve and standardize its program management processes and abilities while developing the skills of the Department staff, or 2) a of Head of Instrumentation as an Instrumentalist/Astronomer with experience in managing projects and wanting to help develop Gemini’s Instrumentation program as a whole.  This position could be filled at either our Gemini North or South base facilities. 

The AO or Technology Development Department (TDD) Head manages our staff of AO Scientists, Telescope Scientists, and Detector Engineers. The TDD’s mission is to support internal and external development efforts for the observatory by investigating and implementing new technologies to improve our telescope, Adaptive Optics, and instrument systems. They also support and consult on technical issues within Observatory operations.  We are particularly looking for the TDD Head to lead the observatory’s state of the art AO program (including its innovative multi-conjugate AO system GeMS at Gemini South, and plans for upgrades to and a possible future replacement of the Altair AO system at Gemini North).  A particularly experienced Head could also lead our Instrumentation program and work with the PSD Head for skilled staff to manage the Division’s projects.  We prefer the TDD position to be located at our Gemini South base facility.

To receive full consideration, applicants MUST submit a cover letter with their application. The letter should specify which position is being applied for, outline the candidate’s relevant experience for the selected position, and describe the candidate’s interest in the position.


Requirements Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
Undergraduate degree in astronomy, physics, engineering, or related technical field required.
Graduate degree in relevant field is required, however equivalent experience may substitute for an advanced degree.
Some formal management education and training required.
Five years of experience in managing technical groups and projects, preferably in an observatory or instrumentation development / AO environment.
Five years experience managing and developing staff.
Demonstrated experience in managing budgets and financial accounts.
Must be fluent in written and spoken English. Spanish language skills desired.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) are essential to create and deliver clear and inspiring presentations and reports.
Must possess excellent interpersonal, task management, and general organizational skills.

Must possess good negotiation and leadership abilities.

Must have experience with work contract generation and management.

Must be able to support significant travel that might be required in order to interact on a regular basis with Gemini’s instrument teams and staff stationed at the Gemini sites (Chile and Hawaii).

Must be able to establish priorities, work independently, build and maintain high-performing teams, and proceed with objectives without supervision.

Must be able to recognize, handle, and resolve recurring problems.

Must be able to identify and develop plans to take advantage of opportunities for the Department.

Must be effective at problem resolution and contributing to planning and technical discussions.

Must be proficient with computer systems.

Must be able to work in a fluid environment, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances and environments.
TDD Head Requirements
Must have knowledge of telescope systems, optics, electronics, software and mechanical design principles, and technologies used in adaptive optics (like deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors).
Must have a strong publication record reflecting a history of contributions in the above areas.
Experience in design, building, testing, commissioning and operating instrumentation and/or AO facilities is prefered.

PSD Head Requirements

Five years experience applying project management and/or systems engineering principles to technical projects, preferably in an observational astronomy  or instrumentation development environment.

Project management and/or systems engineering certification preferred.

Must have an understanding of a broad range of astronomy science issues and terminology, particularly those related to astronomy instrumentation and observatory operations.

Knowledge of telescope systems, optics, electronics, software and mechanical design principles, and technologies used in astronomical instrumentation and operations preferable.

Must have knowledge of project management and systems engineering best practices and procedures as applied in a multidisciplinary observatory environment.

Must be able to use a personal computer and various software applications (including, but not limited to project management and word processing, and preferably requirements management and system modeling).

Included Benefits: 

No benefits information has been provided by the employer.

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
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