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The Anglo-Australian
Observatory seeks to hire two Magellan
Fellows to carry out support duties and research associated with the
Magellan
telescopes. The positions are for three years, with the first two years
spent
as facilities scientist at the Las Campanas Observatory supporting the
two
6.5-meter Magellan telescopes and their instruments by assisting with
maintenance and upgrades, working with visiting astronomers, and
participating in
the general science operation of the Observatory. The third year will
be spent
in Australia carrying out the Fellow’s own research. Any
Australian
astronomical institution may host the Fellow. The successful candidates
for
these positions will be PhD scientists experienced in observational
astronomy
and with a strong research record. They should propose a program of
research to
be carried out during their Fellowship and obtain support for their
candidature
from a suitable hosting institution in Australia.
The Las Campanas
Observatory is 160 km north of La Serena,
Chile, at an altitude of 2300 metres. The Fellows will reside in La
Serena but
spend approximately two weeks per month working on the mountain. While
much of
their time will be spent on observatory duties, time for personal
research and
access to the Magellan telescopes will be available. During the two
years spent
in Chile, Fellows will be able to spend about one-third of their time
on
research; during the third year in Australia, they will be able to
spend all
their time on research. It is expected that their research programs
will
involve use of the Magellan telescopes, although there is no guaranteed
time
with the positions. Fellows will be able to apply for Magellan time
through the
Australian share, and can similarly access Gemini, the AAT and any
other
Australian astronomical facility.
Minimum requirements for
these positions are a PhD in
Astronomy or Physics and significant optical and/or near-infrared
observing
experience. Preference will be given to candidates with direct
instrumentation
experience. Proficiency in the following is desirable: optical design,
controls, IRAF programming, Python, or IDL. Knowledge of Spanish is an
asset
but not essential.
The appointments will be
for a period of three years,
subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary
period. The
salary will be AU$70,720 p.a. plus employer superannuation
contributions and
full medical benefits. Relocation expenses up to a reasonable limit
will also
be paid (including airfare to Chile at the start of the position and to
Australia after the second year). The positions carry a research
stipend of
AU$7000 per annum; Australian hosting institutions for Fellows in their
third
year can provide additional support. The appropriateness of the
institution and
its support will be considered in evaluating candidates. The host
institution
may change if the Fellow’s circumstances dictate.
Applications are now
sought for these two positions, to
start by 1 January 2007. In order to
apply you need to obtain the employment information package and follow
its
guidelines. You can obtain the package by contacting the Personnel
Officer on (02)
9372 4863 or by downloading it from http://www.aao.gov.au/local/www/jobs/.
Please lodge your application
electronically to jobs@aao.gov.au.
Applications should be received by 15 May 2006 and include a covering
letter
demonstrating how the candidate meets the criteria for the positions, a
curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a statement of proposed
research, a
letter from their Australian host institution setting out the support
offered
to the candidate, and full contact details (including phone and e-mail)
of
three referees familiar with the applicant's work.
Further information about
the positions may be obtained from
http://www.aao.gov.au/local/www/jobs. Questions can be addressed to Dr
Chris
Tinney, AAO Head of Astronomy (phone +61 2 9372 4849, fax +61 2 9372
4880 or
e-mail: cgt@aao.gov.au).
The Anglo-Australian
Observatory is an equal opportunity
employer.
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