INSTRUMENT SCIENTIST
LOWELL OBSERVATORY
The Instrument Scientist (IS) is primarily a technical position within Lowell Observatory’s technology group. The position may be filled at any level from advanced postdoc through mid-career scientist. The appointment will be made at a rank commensurate with experience. The IS will have roughly 25% of their time for personal research.
The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting existing IR and optical instruments, and can expect to play a major role in the development of future instruments at the Discovery Channel Telescope (4.3-m) located at Happy Jack, and at the Perkins (1.8-m), Hall (1.1-m) and 0.8-m telescopes located at Anderson Mesa.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Instrument Scientist will support Lowell Observatory’s technical group. In particular, the IS will assist with bringing new instruments on line at the various facilities, playing a major (or leading) role in the development of new instruments for all facilities, including the preparation of grant proposals and meeting with potential donors. Further, the IS plays a service role by occasionally assisting observers starting up at the DCT and Perkins telescopes, maintaining/upgrading existing instruments with a focus on the infrared (NIHTS, IGRINS, RIMAS, MIMIR), and generally supports technical activities across Lowell.
The research component may be in any area of astronomy. As a member of the Lowell Observatory staff, the IS may apply for time on any of the Lowell facilities, including the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer at Anderson Mesa.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS
• A PhD in astronomy or physics, plus 3 years experience
• Strong technical and communications abilities
• Familiarity with some or all of the following: IR and optical detectors, electronic controllers, optics, coatings
• A strong background working with astronomical instrumentation; infrared experience is highly desirable
• Familiarity with cryogenics and cooling systems is desirable
• Demonstrated record of success with grants, either research or technical, is a strong plus
• Experience with electronics and software development is also a strong plus
• Proficiency with various computer systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX based systems is a plus
• Experience with LabView, Java, and/or tcl is desirable
For a complete job description and instructions on how to apply, please visit https://lowell.edu/about/employment/
For further information, contact George Jacoby ([email protected]; +1-520-904-4135)