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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 operates 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 15m telescope operates at 2.3+8.4 GHz. Current research
areas include interstellar masers, pulsars, AGN's and radio supernovae.
HartRAO is a member of the European VLBI Network (EVN) and operates with the
AT-LBA. HartRAO provides support to the Karoo Array Telescope project
(KAT-7 and MeerKAT) as needed. The SKA-SA Project and HartRAO are involved
in the establishment of an African VLBI Network through the redevelopment of
redundant large satellite antennas as radio telescopes and the building new
telescopes. This is a precursor to the implementation of SKA Phase
2 in Africa.
Most staff live in Johannesburg, Tshwane/Pretoria or adjacent towns. A pool car
system is currently 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 may be required at times, with time
off in compensation.
Primary tasks with approximate time allocations:
- Carry out testing, calibration and operational observing with
observatory and partner radio telescopes; develop software and systems for
radio astronomical observing, control and monitoring and data reduction for
HartRAO and partners; support users and student training through practicals
and projects at Hons, MSc and PhD levels, lecturing and outreach (50%).
- 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 and C and python programming
- Experience reducing VLBI data
- 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
2013 March 31; or until filled.