MSE Project Scientist - Unfunded Secondment

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) is seeking a new Project Scientist.

MSE is a project being developed by an international consortium, with the objective of replacing the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) with a new dedicated large aperture spectroscopic survey facility. Defining science capabilities of MSE include:

• Survey speed and sensitivity: With a large aperture (11.25m) and wide field of view (1.5 square degree), MSE will enable large surveys of the faintest science targets.
• Spectral performance and multiplexing: In a single exposure, MSE will obtain over 3000 spectra at a spectral resolution of R= 3000 in the optical through to H-band. Simultaneously, it will obtain over 1000 optical spectra at R= 40,000.
• Dedicated and specialized operations: As a dedicated facility, MSE is designed to be well calibrated and very stable, enabling a vast range of new science.

The MSE Project Scientist is one of the three Key Personnel in the MSE Project Office. The Project Scientist, together with the Project Manager and Project Engineer, will continue to lead and shape the project to achieve the ambitions of the user communities. MSE is approaching the end of its Conceptual Design phase, having just concluded a successful system-level design review. The MSE partnership is now assembling the funding plan for the next phase and anticipates beginning a full Preliminary Design in early 2019, which is expected to last approximately two years.

We are looking for a scientist with a strong background in related research, and with demonstrated leadership ability, to join us for the Preliminary Design phase of this exciting venture.  The MSE Project Office is located in Kamuela, Hawaii.  Ideally, the Project Scientist will be located in Hawaii.  If the position is located elsewhere, regular travel to Hawaii will be required as well as the ability to communicate frequently with the project team. 

This is an unfunded secondment.  Applicants need to be able to be supported financially in this position by their current organization or funded from opportunities within their home community.  Support for this position may be treated as an in-kind contribution towards participation in MSE.

Please send your letter of interest and CV directly to CFHT’s Human Resources officer, Tracy Yost ([email protected]). This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled, with first interviews taking place not earlier than 1 September, 2018.  The full position description may be viewed at the CFHT employment website at https://cfht.applicantpro.com/jobs/.