Observatory Support Associate

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) is looking for candidates for the position of Observatory Support Associate.

The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) is located on Mt. Graham, near Safford AZ in south eastern Arizona, and is part of the Mount Graham International Observatory. It is unique both in having the largest total collecting area of any Optical/IR telescope and, more importantly, provides the largest optical baseline, which enables the highest resolution IR imaging through the technique of interferometry. With its 22.5m baseline, it is the first of the next generation of large ground based telescope that are expected to have baselines of 20m or greater. The LBT is a private telescope operated by an international consortium of universities from Germany, Italy and the United States – including the University of Arizona.

The Observatory Support Associate (OSA) will operate the telescope and its instruments in order to facilitate the collection of astronomical data (including active optics, and adaptive optics systems). The OSA may also support telescope and facility performance documentation, data archiving, data quality monitoring, observing and multi-object spectroscopy slit mask preparation, mechanical and electrical parts fabrication and light webpage and software development depending on skills and abilities as directed by LBTO management.

The Observatory Support Associate will report to the LBTO Technical Director. The OSA works primarily at the observatory site on Mt Graham (3200m). The normal work schedule is a 7-night shift every third week. It will also require occasional work at the Tucson-based observatory headquarters on the campus of the University of Arizona.