Research Assistant, Astronomy (MEO)

The USRA Science and Technology Institute (STI) is seeking a full-time Research Assistant, Astronomy, to join the team in Huntsville, AL.  The candidate will support the Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO), located at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), through maintaining equipment, cameras, and telescopes at the Automated Lunar and Meteor Observatory (ALaMO) and other sites, and conducting observations and data analyses. The candidate will also utilize software codes, scripts, tools, and databases to permit the analysis of bright meteor events (i.e., “skyfalls”) occurring over the United States. An important part of the MEO’s mission is to provide space situational awareness, so the candidate will work with the team to characterize bright meteor events, observe and characterize impact flashes from meteoroids striking the Moon and analyze video meteor data. The candidate will also assist in performing any additional required observations of objects deemed to be of interest to the MEO and NASA HQ.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Serve on a rotating team that delivers quick-turnaround characterizations of skyfall events to the MEO customer. Typically, the analysis of an event is provided 2-4 hours after receiving the analysis request during the morning after an event.
• Organizing, maintaining, configuring, and calibrating equipment/instrumentation at the ALaMO and other sites.
• Conducting observations of meteors, their parent bodies, and the moon.
• Analyzing telescopic and camera observations.
• Conducting overnight astronomical observations at the ALaMO as needed.
• Providing research assistance to MEO personnel.
• Presenting results to the NASA customer.

Required Qualifications: 

Experience:  

• Must possess hands-on experience with operating, assembling, installing, and troubleshooting modern astronomical instruments, such as cameras and telescopes.
• Performing observations using astronomical telescopes/cameras and analyzing the data from these instruments.
• Linux operating systems (Debian/Ubuntu preferred).
• Have technical writing skills.
• It is desired for the candidate to have some knowledge of programming in a major language such as Python (Note: MatLab is not used by the MEO). 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing. Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and clients. 
• Requires sitting for extended periods in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues. Also, requires sitting for extended periods at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks, and sitting at an observatory to conduct overnight astronomical observations. Must be able to climb 4 flights of stairs to access an observatory telescope.
• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential. Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
• Possess the ability to multi-task and transition between quick turnaround assignments.
• Demonstrate the capability to plan and perform analyses independently and as a team.

Education:  Bachelor of Science degree in Astronomy, Physics, or similar field from an ABET accredited institution. Masters preferred.

Working Requirements: This position is not available for remote working.  Candidate is required to follow MSFC/EV44 in office work policy which currently requires employees to be in the office a minimum of Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday each week. Normal workday is from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Regular attendance is a necessity and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

US Citizenship: US Citizenship is required

Travel:  As dictated by site maintenance needs, training and conference schedule.

This position is contingent upon funding.