Scientist (Open Rank)

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s (NRAO) mission is to enable forefront research into the Universe at radio wavelengths. In partnership with the scientific community, we:

• Provide world leading telescopes, scientific software and algorithms and expertise,
• Train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and
• Promote astronomy to foster a more scientifically literate society.

The North American ALMA Regional Center (NA ARC) is the science operations division of North American ALMA. It supports the North American astronomical community in using ALMA and, in collaboration with the ALMA international partners, provides scientific support for the operations of the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Chile. ALMA has entered routine science operations with more than 4000 hours of scientific observations scheduled for each of the upcoming observing cycles.

The NA ARC is recruiting for two scientific staff positions within the North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC). The focus of these positions will be working with the NAASC Scientific Software Group on research, development, and testing of heuristics for the ALMA calibration and imaging pipelines. Activities will include working with the international ALMA Pipeline Working Group for each upcoming Cycle’s development tasks, leading the implementation of new capabilities in the ALMA pipeline architecture, and performing full end-to-end testing of the ALMA pipeline. Successful applicants will also interface extensively with the CASA team to develop and scientifically validate new and existing CASA tasks and tools. Applicants should have a background in scientific computing and algorithm development and experience processing interferometric astronomical data.

Although the primary focus of the search is for the Scientific Software Group, applicants who have the potential to contribute to other groups within the NAASC will also be considered. Staff scientists within the NA ARC are involved in a variety of other scientific support activities such as imaging data and developing imaging techniques; supporting investigators in obtaining, reducing, and analyzing data; engaging in community training; and supporting telescope operations in Santiago, Chile and at the Operations Support Facility near San Pedro de Atacama.

NRAO scientists are expected to enable cutting-edge science by the community and to enhance the observing capabilities for ALMA in addition to contributing to the overall NRAO mission. They must be able to contribute positively to a collaborative environment that requires both individual leadership and teamwork. The successful applicants will become integral members of the NA ARC and contribute to the NAASC’s activities under the direction of the NAASC group managers and the NA ARC Manager.

NRAO staff scientists are expected to carry out an independent research program using 25% of their time. An applicant’s research program may be multi-wavelength in nature as long as it has synergies with NRAO facilities, particularly ALMA. Staff scientists are also expected to be versatile and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as NRAO and the astronomical landscape evolves. Applicants should discuss their versatility for functional work in their cover letter.