Research Scientist

Research Scientist

University of the Virgin Islands

 

Position Number: 329034

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: College of Science & Mathematics

 

Job Description

UVI seeks a full-time (12-month) scientist with an astrophysics or engineering background (but other specializations will be considered) to oversee the development and integration of the UVI-BurstCube, including detector design and development, payload component integration, and front-end electronics development. This engineer will work with a motivated small team of UVI faculty and students as well as our partners at NASA Goddard-Space Flight Center.

The UVI-BurstCube satellite is a scaled-down version of a larger cubesat being developed at NASA-GSFC (BurstCube). The position includes frequent training/collaboration trips to NASA-GSFC to work with the NASA BurstCube mission (Gamma-ray Laboratory) team. It is expected that the selected candidate will involve multiple UVI students in the development of the cubesat and will travel with students to NASA-GSFC for training/collaboration trips.

The ideal candidate may have past experience with small spacecraft development, preferably as part of a successful spaceflight team in industry, government, or academia, however candidates with less direct experience on cubesat programs but high levels of experience in supporting disciplines (detector development, electronics, instrument assembly) will also be considered. The candidate should have at least a basic knowledge of small satellite (CubeSat) subsystems, their integration and testing requirements.

The position is funded for 2 years. A third year is possible based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

The University of the Virgin Islands is a Historically Black publicly supported land-grant institution. UVI seeks faculty who will ensure a high level of student mentorship/training in a nurturing and learner-centered environment in keeping with our HBCU status. Appointees must be able to work productively with colleagues and students of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and contribute to the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan.

 

Required Qualifications

MS degree in Astrophysics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related academic field of study

• Broad knowledge of small satellite subsystems, integration, testing, and operations

• Must be a team player able to work on a small, technical team

• Passion for new space activities and desire to work with a small entrepreneurial team, including undergraduate students

• Excellent written and verbal communication

 

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in Astrophysics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related academic field of study

• Past experience with spacecraft development, preferably on a successful flight program in industry, government, or academia

• Past leadership roles (e.g. project leader, mission manager, etc.)

 

Posting Number: F103

Location: St. Thomas

Position Type: Faculty

Number of Vacancies (Part-time): 1

Posted Salary: $50,000 -60,000

 

Advertised Job Duties

Successful applicants will be expected to lead the development of the UVI-BurstCube cubesat, a 3U cubesat that will have a primary mission to detect GRBs and send notification of the burst detection to the ground. The selected scientist will lead all aspects of the UVI-BurstCube program including simulation and design of the instrument payload (using, e.g, the MEGAlib toolkit), development and testing of the front-end electronics, integration of the payload and all subsystems onto the spacecraft bus, and readiness testing of the satellite for launch. The selected scientist will travel multiple times per year to NASA-GSFC and collaborate closely with scientists at NASA-GSFC who are developing the larger (6U) BurstCube cubesat. Students will be expected to be involved in all aspects of the UVI-Burstcube design and development and the selected scientist will be the lead mentor (though other UVI faculty may also participate) for all student activities associated with the project. The selected scientist will be expected to travel to working group meeting and conferences as needed to participate in development discussions and to disseminate the progress and results of the UVI-BurstCube program.

 

Open Date: 11/21/2018

Close Date: 03/03/2019

 

Special Instructions to Applicant

Email is the preferred method of communicating with applicants at the University of Virgin Islands. You will be required to supply your email address during the application process.

 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment should contact the Human Resources Office at (340)693-1410.

 

For information about relocating to the US Virgin Islands, please visit the Virgin Islands Moving Center at: www.vimovingcenter.com

 

For more information or to apply, please visit: http://apptrkr.com/1376629