Scientist (Open Rank)

About the Role

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking a Scientist (Open Rank: Assistant, Associate, or Scientist) to serve as the Project Scientist for the VLBA X-Ka Wideband Receiver Project. This position will be a three-year appointment on the NRAO Scientist track, with the possibility of renewal subject to observatory needs, budget, and mutual agreement. The appointee will spend 75% of their time on functional work as part of the VLBA Development Team, with the remaining 25% available for independent research. The role is based in New Mexico at either the Albuquerque or Socorro NRAO office, with travel between the two sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Capture and maintain top level project requirements
• Work with project leadership to develop and maintain project foundation documents
• Organize testing and commissioning campaigns and preparation of test reports
• Help coordinate installation while minimizing impacts to the VLBA observing program
• Prepare material for and participate within project reviews
• Establish standard observing bands
• Participate in trade studies
• Communicate with scientific users and external mission partners
• Prepare user- and public-facing documentation such as user guides, news articles, press releases
• Contribute to the broader VLBA development portfolio by consulting and collaborating with teams on parallel projects like the Next Generation Radar (ngRadar) and the Next Generation VLA (ngVLA)
• Maintain awareness of developments at related astronomical facilities
• Maintain an active independent research program which ideally makes significant use of Observatory facilities

Qualifications

Education: PhD in astronomy or related field

Experience: At least one year of related experience using radio interferometry for astronomical research

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong communication skills in written and oral English
• Strong inter-personal skills
• Familiarity with Linux / Unix operating systems
• Ability to travel

Preferred Qualifications

• High-level understanding of the functionality of radio telescopes
• Experience scheduling VLBI experiments
• Experience reducing VLBI data
• Experience within a leadership team of medium to large projects
• Proficiency in the Python computer language

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is between $85,000–$138,000 per year. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range include education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans effective on the first day of employment
• Retirement benefit with AUI contributing an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution