NSO Adaptive Optics Research Associate

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Archive Date: 
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Scientific/Technical Staff
Institution Classification/Type: 
Other
Institution/Company: 
AURA/NSO DKIST
City: 
Boulder
State/Province: 
Colorado
Country: 
United States of America
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

The National Solar Observatory (NSO) currently has an Adaptive Optics Research Associate position open within the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) program. The DKIST is under construction on Maui, Hawaii on the summit of Haleakala. Organizationally, staff are located at the National Solar Observatory headquarters, housed on the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado, co-located with the National Optical Astronomy Observatories at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and in offices in Maui.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of state-of-the-art AO technology for DKIST, including MCAO, Ground Layer AO and Prominence AO. He/She is expected to support ongoing development efforts and, as needed, take leadership for subsystems and/or systems such as prominence AO.

This will have a Term Appointment of 2-3 years duration.

Essential Functions:

    Support prototype system development for prominence AO.
    Collaborate closely with partners at NJIT/BBSO and Kiepenheuer Institute in Freiburg Germany.
    Support DKIST MCAO planning and definition of DKIST MCAO/GLAO implementation.
    Publish results of research activities in appropriate journals
    Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Requirements:

    PhD in Astronomy, Physics, Solar Physics or related discipline
    Working knowledge of adaptive optics
    Experience with development and implementation of AO and MCAO systems.
    Hands on experience with optical systems in the laboratory and/or at telescopes would be an advantage.
    Ability to perform independent research in instrumentation development, including system modeling and simulation.
    Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external contacts at all organizational levels.
    Experience with development of formal specifications would be of advantage.

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
    Some travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States.

NSO will begin reviewing applications the week of July 10th, 2017 and will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Please be sure to submit a completed application and resume by no later than Friday, July 14th 2017 to be considered in the first review.

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.asp.
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 does 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. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.
Preference granted to qualified Native Americans living on or near the Tohono O'odham reservation.

Included Benefits: 

No benefits information has been provided by the employer.

Application Deadline: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
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