Instrumentation Specialist

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) seeks one Instrumentation Specialist to join the Science Operations and Instrumentation Support Group.

The LBTO operates the 2 × 8.4 m LBT on the 3200 m summit of Mount Graham near Safford, Arizona. The LBT is the largest optical/infrared telescope in the world, with a number of unique, leading edge capabilities. In particular, the LBT’s unique binocular design and state-of-the-art adaptive optics technology provides diffraction-limited imaging capability with resolution of a 22.8 meter telescope.

Our three facility instruments as well as the facility adaptive optics system have been commissioned and brought into routine use. Instruments include a pair of wide-field prime focus optical imagers (LBC), the multi-object double spectrograph (MODS), and an infrared imager/spectrograph capable of multi-object spectroscopy and utilizing the adaptive optics system (LUCI). 

The Instrumentation Specialist (IsP) will work alternately in shifts on the summit of Mount Graham and at the LBTO headquarters located in the Steward Observatory building on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona.

The IsP is primarily responsible for daily maintenance and nighttime configuration of the facility instruments as well as trouble-shooting and repair of the facility instruments under the direction and supervision of the Engineering Group and/or instrument teams. The IsP is also collaborating with the teams running the interferometers or developing new instruments aimed at using the excellent performance on the AO systme currently being upgraded.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field AND two years of experience with astronomical instrumentation; OR six years of astronomical instrumentation experience: OR any equivalent combination of experience training and/or education.
• Capable of working at the 3200 m elevation of Mount Graham
• Working with a number of items weighing up to 50 lbs. Must have the ability to lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb stairs, bend, stretch and stand for extended periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting and maintaining advanced 4-8 m class telescope optical and infrared instrumentation.
• Instrument or electronics test equipment experience is highly preferred.
• Cryogenic and vacuum experience.