HartRAO Home >
vacancies >
Operations Astronomer
HartRAO Vacancy - Operations Astronomer
The Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory is located 60km West of
Johannesburg, South Africa, in a valley in the Magaliesberg hills. It is a
National Facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The 26m radio
telescope is equipped to operate in multiple bands from 18 cm to 1.3 cm. It
is equipped for astronomical and geodetic VLBI and single-dish radiometry,
spectroscopy and pulsar timing. A queue scheduler provides fully automated
single-dish observing. The observatory operates 24/7. Some current research
areas are interstellar masers, pulsars, AGN's and radio supernovae. A 15m
telescope is being equipped for geodetic VLBI. HartRAO is a member of the
European VLBI Network (EVN). HartRAO involved in the Karoo Array Telescope
project (MeerKAT), the South African SKA bid, the establishment of an
African VLBI Network through the redevelopment of redundant large satellite
antennas as radio telescopes and the building new telescopes as well as the
C-band all-sky survey (CBASS).
Most staff live in Johannesburg, Tshwane/Pretoria or adjacent towns. A pool car
system is in operation to provide transport to and from work. Salary is on
the South African market-related scale. The salary package is configurable
for individual needs and includes retirement benefits, medical aid, generous
leave and sick leave. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday
daytime, however night and weekend work will be required at times, with time
off in compensation.
Primary tasks with approximate time allocations:
- Carry out testing, calibration and operational observing with
observatory radio telescopes and support same in external collaborations
(17%).
- Develop software and systems for radio astronomical observing, control
and monitoring and data reduction for HartRAO and other African developments
(17%)
- User support and student training through practicals and projects at
Hons, MSc and PhD levels, lecturing and outreach (17%).
- Carry out astronomical research for publication (50%).
Requirements and desirable experience for the position:
- PhD in radio astronomy
- Relevant experience in astronomy-related software development
- Track record in publishing astronomical research in refereed journals
- Experience in radio telescope operations
- Experience with Linux
- Experience in user support / lecturing / student training / outreach
- Ability to work well with a small team of scientists and engineering staff
Information about HartRAO
http://www.hartrao.ac.za
Enquiries: phone +27 12 301-3100
Applications
Applicants should email to recruitment@hartrao.ac.za :
- A CV that addresses the position requirements
- A letter of motivation indicating your suitability for and interest in the position
and your research interests and plans.
- Contact details of three referees.
Closing date
2012 March 31; or until filled.