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The
Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) and Macquarie University wish
to
appoint a highly motivated Research Fellow in the general area of the
Formation
and Evolution of Nearby Galaxies. This research position, suitable for
a recent
PhD graduate, is a joint appointment between the Australian
Astronomical
Observatory and Macquarie University; the two institutions are located
close to
each other in Sydney,
Australia,
a lively,
culturally-diverse city with a pleasant climate and a high standard of
living. The
successful candidate will interact with the staff of the AAO and the
staff and
students of the rapidly-growing Astronomy and Astrophysics group at Macquarie University. The position is
initially
for 2 years, with a possibility of further extension subject to
performance and
external funding.
The
Research Fellow will conduct their own research program in the general
area of
the Formation and Evolution of Nearby Galaxies – that is, the
galaxies in the
Local Group and the Local Volume, including the Milky Way itself. This
research
will be carried out independently as well as in collaboration with Dr
Daniel
Zucker and the other members of the Astronomy group at the AAO and the
Astronomy and Astrophysics CORE (Centre of Research Excellence) at Macquarie University. The Research Fellow
will
have 67% of their time available for research. They will be expected to
assist
in the operations of the AAO for the remaining 33% of their time. Such
duties
may include observing support at the AAT, and other roles required by
the
Astronomy group to ensure the continued smooth running of the
Observatory.
The
excellent facilities of the Australian Astronomical Observatory and
other
telescopes open to Australian astronomers (including Gemini and
Magellan) are
available for use in the research component of the role.
The Observatory comprises the 3.9-metre
Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and the 1.2-metre UK Schmidt Telescope
near
Coonabarabran, NSW, and a laboratory in Epping, in the suburbs of Sydney. The AAO
also hosts
the Australian Gemini Office. There is a scientific staff of 14 highly
active
and productive astronomers at the AAO, most of whom are based in
Epping, next
to the headquarters of the Australia Telescope National Facility
(ATNF), which
operates Australia's
radio telescopes.
Macquarie
University, a dynamic research and teaching institution, is located on
a
park-like campus in close proximity to the headquarters of the AAO and
ATNF.
The Astronomy and Astrophysics group – within the Macquarie
Department of
Physics and Astronomy – has undergone a rapid expansion in the
past 5 years,
now comprising over 35 faculty, postdoctoral researchers and students
(see www.astronomy.mq.edu.au),
making it
one of the largest and most active astronomy groups within Australia.
In
addition to the successful candidate for this position, four additional
Australian Research Council-funded postdoctoral Super Science Fellows
will be
joining the group over the next 12-16 months.
Candidates
must have a strong background in astronomy, astrophysics or a related
branch of
experimental physics. Expertise with or an interest in existing AAO
instrumentation is desirable, as is an interest in the development,
commissioning and subsequent scientific use of HERMES, the next AAT
instrument,
scheduled for 2012. HERMES is a high-resolution spectrograph fed by 400
fibres,
for which the main science drivers are large stellar surveys to study
the
formation of the Galaxy and its closest companions.
The
position is located on the Epping campus, and is a 2-year appointment,
subject
to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probation period. The
salary will
be in the range of $66761 - $71153 p.a. (AAO level 4.1 to 4.3),
depending on
the experience of the candidate, plus employer superannuation
contributions and
annual leave loading. A fixed relocation
allowance plus other relocation expenses (including airfare to Australia and return on completion of
the
appointment) may also be paid for applicants from outside the Sydney area.
To
apply for this position you will need to obtain the employment
information
package which is available from our website
http://www.aao.gov.au/local/www/jobs/
or by contacting the AAO personnel officer Rajni Prasad on +61 2 9372
4863. All applications should be sent
electronically to jobs@aao.gov.au.
Applications
must include all of the following:-
* A curriculum
vitae outlining career
history, education and qualifications, awards and distinctions.
* Full list of
publications, separated into
(a) accepted papers in refereed journals and (b) conference proceedings
and
other publications. Please do not include papers or preprints with your
application.
* A statement
addressing the selection
criteria. Each criterion must be
addressed explicitly.
* A one page
outline of current research
interests and a two page proposal for the research program to be
carried out at
the AAO / Macquarie
University.
* Contact
details, including e-mail and
phone, of three referees. It is the applicant’s responsibility to
ensure that
reference letters arrive by the closing date for applications.
Further
enquiries regarding the position should be directed to Dr Daniel Zucker
(zucker@aao.gov.au) or to A.
Prof. Andrew
Hopkins (ahopkins@aao.gov.au).
Phone
+61 2 9372 4849, Fax +61 2 9372 4880
The Australian Astronomical
Observatory
supports flexible working arrangements
and is an
equal opportunity
employer.
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