Operations Staff Astronomer / Instrument Scientist

Paranal Science Operations (PSO) astronomers play a key role in optimizing the scientific return of the world leading astronomical facility.

PSO is responsible for the efficient execution of the scheduled observations, and in providing the highest quality data to our users in the worldwide astronomical community. The department is also charged with maintaining and where possible improving the scientific and operational performance of the VLT(I)'s astronomical instruments. Astronomers in the department chair the Instrument Operation Teams (IOTs). PSO is strongly involved in the preparations for the full integration of the ELT into Paranal, in the context of the Integrated Operations Programme (IOP).

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain and provide expert knowledge on novel instrumentation and become closely involved in operations development towards the ELT. They will be given the overall responsibility for an instrument at the Very Large Telescope or future ELT. Within our operational requirements, flexibility exists to tailor duties and responsibilities according to personal expertise and interests.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will:

• Become instrument scientist for one of the current or future instruments at VLT and ELT. Activities include:

- manage the end-to-end operational and scientific performance, with a system level approach

- define, implement, optimize and characterize new observing modes

- set-up of optimized calibration plans

- contribute to the operations-readiness of the upcoming generation of VLT(-I) and ELT systems.

• Contribute to the science operations activities for both visitor and service mode at Paranal Observatory. This includes planning and execution of observations, providing quality assurance and quality control of the scientific data obtained, supporting visiting astronomers, and the calibration of instruments.

• Support the operational development of Paranal towards an integrated VLT-ELT observatory, in the context of the Integrated Operations Programme (IOP).

The successful candidate will be part of ESO's astronomy faculty and be appointed at the level of Assistant or Associate Astronomer. They will be expected and encouraged to carry out a sustainable scientific research program that enables them to:

• Interact at peer level with the user community, including instrument consortia and high-profile researchers
• Understand and drive instrument performance from a scientific point of view

Functional duties are carried out for the equivalent of up to 105 nights per year at the Observatory, in either day, night- or mixed shifts on site. Functional work pursued off-site (e.g. at the ESO campus in Santiago or in mobile work) accordingly reduces the nights required to be spent on site. The rest of the time is spent on personal scientific research at the ESO campus in Santiago. Assessment of overall performance includes both functional duties and personal research.

ESO provides various types of financial support to its faculty members, including but not limited to conference participation and organization, scientific visits, PhD studentships.

Reports to:

The Head of the Paranal Science Operations Department in Chile.

Experience:

We seek a staff astronomer with instrument scientist skills, able to manage the operational and scientific performance of an instrument with an end-to-end perspective. Demonstrated experience in commissioning and/or development of new instruments will be an important asset, with a particular emphasis on system level analysis. We look for someone with excellent observing and/or operational experience in areas relevant to VLT(-I) and ELT instrumentation, with at least 3 years after the PhD.

Key Competences:

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in commissioning and/or development of astronomical instruments, with a particular emphasis on system level analysis.
• Strong background in state-of-the-art observing techniques available at Paranal. Such techniques include interferometry and extreme adaptive optics, high resolution and multi-object spectroscopy, time-resolved photometry, etc in the optical and near-to-mid infrared wavelength regions.
• Excellent observation-oriented research records and a sustainable future research program, that enables them to interact at peer level with the user community, and drive instrument performance from a scientific point of view.
• Deeply familiar with data analysis, both for astronomical data and data that describes instrument performance. Conversant with at least one major data reduction environment (e.g. ESO Reflex, IRAF, IDL)
• Good working knowledge of python.

Desirable:

• Proven ability to identify technical issues and potential risks, and experience with real-time troubleshooting.
• A keen interest in quality control of astronomical data

Very good self-organization and time management is a must, coupled with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks. Communication and interpersonal skills are required, with the ability to adapt and to work efficiently in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and within a team. A strong sense of team spirit is essential.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics or equivalent

Language Skills:

A very good command of the English language - oral, reading and writing is essential.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.

Our Salary Structure

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment.

Duty Station:

Paranal (130 km near Antofagasta, North of Chile) and Santiago, Chile.

Career Path: V

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details. Also check the job webpage of the Paranal Science Operations Department (http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/paranal/sciops/jobs.html).

Applicants are invited to apply online at https://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter, a research statement and a CV (with list of publications).

The position also requires three letters of reference to be submitted before the application deadline.

Closing date for applications is 31 May 2025.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO Values are:

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.

Nationality

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.