Instrument Scientist

The University of Arizona Steward Observatory seeks an Instrument Scientist to work within the Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics (CAAO) group reporting directly to instrument PIs and collaborating closely with faculty in CAAO, the Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory, and the Wyant College of Optical Sciences.

This research scientist will play a lead role in the design, development, integration, and testing of active and adaptive optics (AO) instruments and end-to-end observatory testing and commissioning for multiple new space and ground-based adaptive optics instruments. The AO scientist will participate in the review of test results from subsystems developed by partner institutions and industrial vendors, and will play a key role in the integration, testing, and commissioning of new instruments.

Assignments will include simulation of performance, developing/reviewing requirements, and performance budgets, reviewing and analyzing the results of instrument prototypes and wavefront control testbeds. Applicants with space instrumentation, exoplanet imaging, real-time controls and/or systems engineering experience are especially encouraged to apply.

UA/SO offers a world-class research environment in ground and space-based astrophysics with strong interdisciplinary programs across the Departments of Astronomy, Physics, Planetary Sciences, and the UA Data Science Institute. Recently selected to build the Aspera Pioneer SmallSat and home to the JWST NIRCam team, Steward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing. Among these are the Large Binocular Telescope and 6.5m aperture telescopes located in both the northern and southern hemispheres and applicants would be eligible to submit their own science proposals.