Senior Research Fellow (Simons Observatory:UK Project)

Job Summary

Job Description

Job reference: SAE-020409

Location: Oxford Road, Manchester

Salary: £54,949-£65,578 per annum depending on experience

Employment type: Fixed Term

Hours per week: Full Time

Contract Duration: 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2026

The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics seeks a Senior Research Fellow to take a lead role in the delivery of the instrumentation component of the Simons Observatory: UK (SO:UK) project. Simons Observatory (SO) is a next-generation Cosmic Microwave Background observatory, comprised of a single large aperture telescope (LAT) and multiple small aperture telescopes (SATs).

It is currently under construction in the Atacama Desert in Chile, with early science operations due to begin in 2023. SO:UK is a major UK contribution to SO. In addition to a significant contribution to the SO Data Management, SO:UK will deliver two additional SATs and a receiver system for the LAT.

The University of Manchester is one of six UK universities that form the SO:UK collaboration and, amongst other contributions, will be assembling and testing one of the two SO:UK SATs. Manchester is also responsible for the delivery of the SAT platforms and for the design and installation of the associated infrastructure at the site in Chile.

The successful candidate will work with Prof. Michael Brown, Prof. Lucio Piccirillo and the wider SO:UK team – both at Manchester and across the UK institutes – to deliver this major instrumentation project. In particular, we are seeking to appoint an individual with substantial experience in the development, testing, deployment and commissioning of astronomical instrumentation in harsh and challenging environments.

The starting date is 1 April 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post will be available for three years in the first instance.

Applications should consist of a completed application form, an up-to-date CV and a Research Statement (maximum 2 pages).

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Professor Michael Brown

Email: [email protected]

General enquiries:

Email: [email protected]

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the 9 December 2022.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.