ALMA Postdoctoral Fellows

Position Summary

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of the European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded by ESO on behalf of its Member States, by NSF in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC) and by NINS in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). ALMA construction and operations are led by ESO on behalf of its Member States; by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), on behalf of North America; and by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) on behalf of East Asia. The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides the unified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA.

ALMA provides the world-wide astronomical community with transformational capabilities to study the origin of galaxies, stars, and planets.  ALMA started its first Early Science observations in late 2011 and has led to the publication of more than 1600 papers to date. The JAO is offering two postdoctoral fellowship positions to join the ALMA science operations group in Santiago, Chile. ALMA Postdoctoral Fellows will be appointed for a period of three years and will spend 50% of their time dedicated to their personal scientific research. The remaining time will be spent in support of ALMA operations, including observing at the ALMA Operations Support Facility (OSF) near San Pedro de Atacama for hands-on interaction with the telescope. The goal of these fellowships is to offer early career scientists the opportunity to enhance their research programs through involvement in science activities and interactions with experienced staff at the world's foremost observatory for sub-mm astronomy. 

At present, there are over 40 scientists with a wide range of research interests working at ALMA in Santiago. The JAO also hosts regular visits from scientists from the ALMA Regional Centers (ARCs) in Europe, North America and East Asia. The ALMA office is located adjacent to ESO’s Santiago office, and the offices of AUI/NRAO and NAOJ are located nearby. Fellows have the opportunity to collaborate with the rapidly growing Chilean astronomical community as well as with astronomers from other international observatories located in Chile. The ALMA Postdoctoral Fellows will be provided with resources for science trips and will be encouraged to visit one or more of the ARCs for science collaborations. The JAO runs a visitor program through which science collaborators can be invited to work in Santiago.

What to Expect as an ALMA Post Doc Fellow

• ALMA Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to lead a vigorous research program in any area related to the use of ALMA. Fellows will also actively participate in and contribute to the science activities of the JAO.
• The ALMA Postdoctoral fellows are expected to support ALMA science operations and will work in the JAO Department of Science Operations (DSO).  They will perform their duties as part of the large team of international scientists working at the JAO and in the ARCs.
• Successful candidates will act as Astronomers on Duty at the OSF. A fraction of the technical duties can be spent on data processing, participation in the ALMA review process as technical experts, software testing, and development and testing of new capabilities of the array, among other technical activities necessary for the successful operations of the facility.

Location of Position

Santiago Central Office, Chile, with frequent visits to the Operations Support Facility (OSF) near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile (50%)

Position Requirements:

Minimum Education

PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics or a related field

Competency Summary

• Proven track record of excellent scientific research.
• Experience in millimeter Astronomy observations (single dish and/or interferometry) and in processing of radio astronomical data is an asset.
• Fluency in the English language (oral and written).
• Good interpersonal communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, including operators, astronomers and engineers.

Physical Working Conditions

Due to travel requirements and work at high altitudes, a successful high-altitude medical check is a necessary condition of employment for this position.

Starting Date

Successful candidates will be expected to start their fellowship before October 2020.

Application Instructions:

ALMA Postdoctoral Fellows will be engaged to work at the JAO through one of the Executives: ESO, AUI/NRAO or NAOJ. Candidates should apply through the Recruitment Portal(s) of the ALMA Executive (ESO, AUI/NRAO, NAOJ) from which s/he would like to receive a contract offer. Only one ALMA Executive will send a contract offer to each successful candidate.

Applications must be completed in English and should include:

1. A CV with a list of publications;
2. A statement of scientific interests;
3. An outline of research envisaged to be done over the next 3 years and its relevance to ALMA (maximum 3 pages 11pt including figures);
4. Candidates should provide three reference letters.

Details of the application process and information about conditions and remuneration are provided in the Recruitment Portals of the ALMA partners:

Applicants submitting their application to AUI/NRAO are invited to apply online at http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/job/owEvbfwA.   Reference letters must be sent by electronic mail to [email protected] by December 16, 2019. 

Applicants submitting their application to ESO are invited to apply online at https://jobs.eso.org/.

Applicants submitting their application to NAOJ are invited to apply via e-mail to [email protected]

Application Deadline

The deadline for receipt of applications and letters of reference is December 16, 2019.

For further information, please consult (www.almaobservatory.org), as well as the ESO, NRAO, and/or NAOJ; Home Pages (www.eso.org), (www.nrao.edu), or (www.nao.ac.jp/en/)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

ESO, AUI/NRAO, and NAOJ are Equal Opportunity Employers. The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.

AUI/NRAO is an equal opportunity employer.  Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.  To view our complete statement, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs.  If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to [email protected].

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.