SKA-VLBI Scientist

Job Title: SKA-VLBI Scientist (2 years fixed term contract, with possibility for extension)
Reference: SKAV/01
Reports To: Head of Science Operations Planning
Closing Date for applications: Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 28th February 2017.  For details of how to apply please see below. 
Submission of applications: See below.  Emails to [email protected]

Organisation Background

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global project to build the world’s largest radio observatory that will play a major role in answering key questions in modern astrophysics and cosmology. It will be one of a small number of cornerstone observatories around the world that will provide astrophysicists and cosmologists with a transformational view of the Universe. The SKA will be constructed in two distinct phases. Among major science goals for the first phase will be to study the history and role of neutral Hydrogen in the Universe from the dark ages to the present-day, and to employ pulsars as probes of fundamental physics. This will be accomplished by the construction of two telescopes, one in South Africa and the other in Western Australia, each with distinct technologies. Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) will be a key component of the science programme of the SKA Observatory.

The SKA Organisation was incorporated as a UK company in December 2011 to coordinate global design activities in the ‘Pre-Construction’ Phase of the project. Ten governments are now participating in the project, with others engaged in discussions concerning possible membership. Negotiations are currently underway between the governments of SKA member countries with the aim of establishing the SKA Organisation as an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO) governed by a Convention. It is expected that these negotiations will be concluded in 2017 and the IGO will be set up soon afterwards. It is envisaged that all staff working at the SKA Organisation will transfer to the new IGO. The SKA Organisation is permanently headquartered at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, UK.

The Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE) is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium hosted at ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. JIVE is the main data processor centre of the European VLBI Network (EVN), an interferometric array of radio telescopes spread throughout Europe and around the world. After formally becoming a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, ERIC, JIVE has been awarded funding to profile itself further, attract new partners and responsibilities and foster a global collaboration in VLBI (Jumping JIVE).

The Role  The first phase of the SKA is due to become fully operational in 2023 and the operation of the SKA Observatory is currently being planned. The SKA is capable of providing very long and ultra-sensitive North-South baselines to the EVN, enabling exciting VLBI science to be achieved with this unique, global array. The SKA Organisation has initiated a number of international science working groups in order to inform and constrain the detailed design with high profile science cases. Through the Horizon2020 programme, Jumping JIVE, we will be able to support the SKA VLBI Working Group with the goal to identify key science areas where SKA-VLBI will deliver breakthrough astrophysics, and to define the operational model for VLBI with the SKA.

We are seeking an individual to join the Operations team to support the Science Operations Planning in the VLBI area. We require somebody with operational and scientific VLBI experience to act as the lead VLBI scientist at the SKA to support VLBI activities. The individual shall have good organisational, communication and collaborative skills to take on this role. The post is for a fixed term, initially 2 years with the possible extension for a further year dependent on available funds, in association with the e-MERLIN/VLBI, the UK's National Radio Astronomy Facility, which is hosted by University of Manchester at Jodrell Bank Observatory.

Key Duties, Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the SKA Head of Science Operations Planning, the post holder will undertake to support the role of VLBI within the SKA in the following areas:
• Develop the operational model for operating the SKA in VLBI mode through a series of use cases based on existing and new science cases for SKA-VLBI, to include but not be limited to: proposal handling, time allocation, observation scheduling and execution, and data transport
• To review the SKA-VLBI Level 1 requirements and submit engineering change proposals for modifications to these if required;
• To ensure that the interfaces for VLBI, between the SKA and the VLBI network, are sufficient;
• To act as the point-of-contact for both the SKA and the global VLBI centres; this may occur at different levels of interaction, from correlator design, telescope management, data transport and format;
• To develop commissioning and test procedures to be carried out for VLBI during SKA construction and have these included into the verification requirements during the SKA construction phase;
• To developing a VLBI specific calibration strategy;
• To develop, document and review an upgrade path for SKA-VLBI;
• To work with the SKA VLBI Working Group, and others in the community, to develop the science case(s) for SKA-VLBI;
• To undertake a programme of personal research, preferably related to VLBI.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the line manager.

Mandatory Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

• Experience with the operation of radio observatories and the data acquisition and reduction of VLBI data.
• University degree in Physics or Engineering, another closely related and relevant field, or equivalent expertise.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English, and the ability to influence people in widely differing parts of a complex organisation.
• Ability to work effectively with engineers and scientists from a variety of cultures.
• Willingness to travel, nationally and internationally, and work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends.

Desirable Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience and knowledge of data analysis software and techniques in radio astronomy.
• Experience working in large collaborative projects.
• Familiarity with radio astronomy or a closely-related field.
• Experience, or knowledge of, hardware and software technologies in domains such as high performance computing, big data analytics, or cloud computing.

For more information on the SKA project visit http://www.skatelescope.org. SKA Organisation offers a competitive salary, a generous company pension scheme, a relocation allowance (subject to qualifying criteria) and a flexible benefits package. The successful applicant’s workplace will be SKA Organisation’s headquarters at Jodrell Bank Observatory, UK

How to apply:

Please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected], quoting reference SKAV/01 and stating where you saw the job advertised. 

Applications should include a summary of your experience, including evidence of your suitability for the role, details of your current remuneration and the names of at least three professional references. 

Please note: your covering letter must contain, as a minimum, details of how you meet the mandatory criteria.  Cover letters that do not address this will not be considered. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 28th February 2017.

Equal Opportunities Statement:
SKA Organisation is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. Our aim to is recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or nationality.

At all stages of the recruitment process and beyond, we strive to treat applicants and employees with a high standard of care, honesty and politeness.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Organisation welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided. If you need equipment or adjustments to enable you to complete your application and/or attend an interview, then please let us know.