Head of Science Operations at Gemini South

NSF’s NOIRLab has an immediate opening for a Head of Science Operations for the International Gemini Observatory. The position will be based at the Gemini South facility in La Serena, Chile. We seek a person with established leadership, excellent communication skills, and strong organization skills to work with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders to lead the scientific mission of the Gemini Observatory. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at Gemini Observatory. Our managing organization, AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce.

The Science Operations team performs the core duties which comprise science operations at Gemini. These include the following: supporting the time allocation process carried out by the international partners and the International Time Allocation Committee (ITAC); maintaining the telescope schedule; supporting the National Gemini Offices in their work with Principal Investigators to use Gemini, especially to prepare observations (in proposal phase II); planning and carrying out queue observing and supporting classical observing; providing scientific support for instrumentation; maintaining user information on the Gemini web pages; and conducting astronomical research. Within the science operations department at Gemini South there are research staff: Scientists, Astronomers, and Science Fellows, all with support duties; and the non-research Science Operations Specialists (SOS) group. The Head of Science Operations, of which there is one at each Gemini site, is a Scientist responsible for oversight and direction of all of these activities, either directly or via intermediate managers; he/she identifies and implements organizational improvements and performs staff functional management and scheduling for most members of the group. The Head of Science Operations also interfaces and collaborates with other groups in Gemini Observatory as well as within the wider NOIRLab, and ensures that methods and processes stay aligned between Gemini North and South.

NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center that operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: the international Gemini Observatory, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory, and the Community Science and Data Center; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services for a diverse and inclusive community. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities can be divided into four broad areas:

• Strategic Planning and Leadership
  • Produces reporting material for the various oversight groups (Board, Science and Technology Advisory Committee, etc.; see http://www.gemini.edu/science/)
  • Is a member of the Operations Working Group: http://www.gemini.edu/science/#owg
  • Develops and maintains the Gemini South Science Operations budget account and other accounts as necessary, and provides quarterly budget reports
  • Takes part in resource allocation and planning meetings and processes
  • Optionally supervises the generation of observatory time accounting statistics, and/or other operations statistics
  • Along with the Head of the Gemini User Support Department and Gemini North Head of Science Operations, coordinates the meetings and activities of the Users’ Committee for Gemini (UCG)
  • Carries out a program of astronomical research at an agreed fraction of the time
  • Carries out other duties as required
• Staff Management
  • Provides day-to-day, as well as long-term leadership and staff functional management for the scientists within the science operations department at the respective site; is the functional manager for the SOS group manager
  • Monitors the functional performance of all reportees and provides input to the annual performance review.
  • Mentors staff members as appropriate.
  • Ensures appropriate safety training for all reportees.
  • Serves on hiring committees for new staff as needed.
  • Delegates operations tasks as appropriate.
• Regular Science Operations
  • Manages nightly telescope operations and associated daily support activities and regular meetings.
  • Produces and maintains the telescope schedule, in conjunction with ITAC coordinator and Queue Coordinators (QCs), and develops the work schedule for the Scientific staff in Operations at the site.
  • Processes and approves program change requests, handles approved Director’s Discretionary proposals, poor weather proposals, emergencies, and other unexpected events.
  • May be called upon at any time, including nights, holidays and weekends, except when authority is delegated*. The most likely contacts in non-emergency situations will be from the night crew, the QC, or Telescope Technical Manager.
  • Works closely with the Gemini South Head of Engineering to identify and plan projects to facilitate and improve science operations.
  • Coordinates with Engineering, Software, and IT managers and staff to prioritize and schedule projects that affect operations. Makes judgment calls as required regarding priority of engineering work related to night-time operations.
  • Assists the Queue Coordinator, as needed, regarding relative priorities of programs and observations. 
  • Optionally, may perform other duties such as queue coordination and observing.
  • Note that the operational role of the Head of Science Operations may be delegated for limited periods when necessary.
• Administrative Duties
  • Maintains property custodianship of Gemini property.
  • Exercises signature authority purchases, and other administrative tasks.
  • Processes and approves site visit requests and science visitors.

Job Specifications:

The job holder will have a strong understanding of observatory operations in all aspects: instrumentation, data collection and analysis, and user needs and support. Must be proficient in managing the operations of observatory systems and instruments, including computer systems, software tools, communication systems, and telescope-related systems. Must maintain currency with safety training: First Aid, CPR/Automatic External Defibrillator training, 4WD techniques, and other safety training as required. Carries out staff functional management of all members of the Gemini South science operations group. Must be willing to occasionally spend time on night-duty at Base Facility. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays as needed. Must possess leadership, organizational and communication skills and be able to manage a multidisciplinary group. Must be fluent in English; a capability to speak Spanish is an advantage. The post requires a significantly above-average level of personal initiative. Requires outstanding judgment and ability to communicate firmly when issues of safety of personnel or the telescope are apparent. Must be able to work productively in a multinational team. Vacation time must be arranged so as to avoid conflict with scheduled duties and with proper advance approval.

Education Required:

 Ph.D. in Astronomy or Physics or a related field.

Experience and Skills Required:

• At least five years’ experience is required in the following areas:
  • Optical and/or infrared observing techniques;
  • Astronomical instruments and software/data reduction systems.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Unix-based operating systems, e.g., Linux and/or Mac OS X is required, as is the ability to employ a variety of organizational and administrative/reporting software including generic and cloud-based office suites and a project management tool.
• Direct experience of observatory operation at a major ground-based observatory would be an advantage.  Staff management experience is also desirable.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.  
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines. 
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately. 

Submission materials: Please include a CV or resume, a cover letter detailing your professional interests and qualifications for the position, and at least 3 professional references who will only be contacted during the late stages of the interview process. For full consideration, applications should be received by March 15, 2022.

AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, is committed to diversity and inclusion. AURA develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected]

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and three international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURA is responsible for managing the operations of the NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, the National Solar Observatory, and the construction of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope under cooperative agreements with the National Science Foundation and operations of the Space Telescope Science Institute under contracts with NASA.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA and all of the centers, do not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws.