Observing Specialists - Early | Mid | Senior Career Stages

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is now in the exciting phase of integration and commissioning and will become operational in 2024. The project is thus seeking Observing Specialists, at different career stages, to be part of the team that will bring the observatory to its routine operation and carry out the planned 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). 

The Observing Specialist team is expected to grow as we near full operations in late 2024 to reach 13 members. Once the Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins operations, it will be part of NSF’s NOIRLab, the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs: Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona, Chile and Hawai’i.

The Observing Specialists will work with a variety of systems needed to commission and operate the Observatory, including the 8.4m Simonyi primary survey telescope, the 1.2m Auxiliary Telescope that supports atmospheric calibration and initial system commissioning, the ComCam — the commissioning camera, the LSSTCam — the main survey science camera, and a variety of control systems and software. Observing Specialists will develop intimate knowledge of the data and technology used in the LSST and will work closely with team members across the project. Observing Specialists will also be trained and well-prepared to contribute to further development and refinement of the Observatory and the data produced.

The Simonyi 8.4 m telescope is an innovative design used to conduct an imaging survey over much of the southern sky repeatedly over a 10-year period. The data from the LSST will be unprecedented in scale and sensitivity to faint objects. The survey will enable a wide range of science, from exploration of the time domain to dark matter and dark energy. Data from Rubin Observatory will fundamentally change how humanity perceives and understands the Universe in which we live. 

We are seeking qualified candidates from all career stages:

• An early-stage career position requires 2 to 5 years of experience.
• A mid-stage career position requires 6 to 10 years of post-graduate experience.
• A senior-stage career position requires 11 or more years of post-graduate experience.

While we complete construction of the Simonyi Telescope and LSSTCam instrument, the Observing Specialists will work with ComCam and the Auxiliary Telescope that each feature hardware and control systems identical to that of the Simonyi telescope and camera. Refining processes and interfaces on this system will enable more efficient commissioning on the rest of the system later.

Observing Specialists report to the Observing Specialist Manager. This position is based in Chile, with operations in La Serena and at Cerro Pachon.

Essential Functions:

Support Nighttime commissioning and operations by:

• Developing and documenting procedures associated with the operations of the main Rubin Observatory Simonyi Survey Telescope and its Auxiliary Telescope (AuxTel) and associated subsystems.
• Safely operating the Auxiliary and/or the Simonyi telescopes at night.
• Becoming familiar with the Simonyi and Auxiliary Telescopes operation and monitoring software and their respective GUIs.
• Monitoring summit weather conditions and executing predetermined actions when conditions are adverse for operations.
• Monitoring Simonyi and Auxiliary Telescopes' subsystems’ health through subsystems GUIs.
• Basic software troubleshooting and debugging, becoming adept with extracting, and analyzing information from the Observatory's Engineering Facility Database to understand the sources of issues.
• Performing basic evaluations of delivered image and spectra quality.
• Obtaining and analyzing calibration data taking with both telescopes (e.g. flat fielding).
• Producing nightly observing reports that include activity log entries and automated technical assessments derived from the Engineering and Facility Database and fault reporting.

Supporting Daytime commissioning and operations by:

• Participating in daytime software test activities.
• Acquiring basic knowledge of all the subsystems to understand and support their functions and operation.
• Participating in the development, review, and refinement of the Simonyi and Auxiliary Telescopes operation procedures.
• Providing feedback to optimize the telescope’s operations and monitoring software.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Qualifying experience can be drawn from one or more of the following areas:
  • Operation of a major ground-based telescope or space observatory.
  • Optical and/or infrared observing techniques.
  • Data reduction and analysis of optical and/or infrared ground-based data.
  • Experience with Astronomical/Physics instruments.
• Fluency in English, with a preference for Spanish language competency as well.
• Knowledge or experience with writing bug or fault reports and issue tracking using tools such as Jira or equivalent.
• Knowledge of a high-level software scripting knowledge such as Pythonor equivalent.
• Must have the ability to work either at day or night on the Cerro Pachón summit, at 2,650 meters above sea level (approx. 8,700 feet).
• Willingness to stay at the summit for several days/nights on end (food and lodging provided)
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays, as needed. Schedule is subject to changes and varies by person within the group based on their responsibilities.
• Willingness to accept responsibility for the safety of people and equipment, especially while working at night.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Reliability, dependability, and flexibility, including excellent attendance and commitment to work scheduled shifts.
• A self-learner, self-starter, and above-average initiative.
• Outstanding judgment and ability to communicate firmly when issues of safety of personnel or equipment are apparent.
• Ability to work productively and harmoniously in a multinational team.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License; clean driving record; ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Physical Requirements:

There are basic physical requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is required to work at high elevation summit sites up to 2,650 meters above sea level, carrying out physical activities such as going up and down stairs, as well as, occasionally, working in adverse weather conditions. This position also requires passing a medical examination post Offer and, if medically necessary, at specified intervals while employed.

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If you would like to apply for this opportunity, please submit your CV or resume along with a Cover Letter in English (PDF files). Also, kindly provide contact information of 3 professional references in your application, as references will be contacted later in the recruiting process. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname.Docname. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by March 29, 2024. Kindly note that this position will remain open until filled.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off, health and welfare benefits, and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment.

For Chile based positions, salaries meet Chile national market rates and internal scales for AURA. The final salary will depend on the career stage determined by AURA, and the candidate’s skills, qualifications and experience.

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org

At Rubin Observatory we are committed to diversity and inclusion. Our managing Organization, AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at: Diversity and Inclusion - AURA Astronomy (aura-astronomy.org)

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.