Associate Director - Development

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: see below
• Job Code: INS102P

The GEMINI OBSERVATORY has an immediate opening for an ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT. The successful applicant will be responsible for managing the development of all new instrumentation at Gemini Observatory, including new Aspen instruments and advanced adaptive optics systems. The Associate Director for Development will be the principal Observatory representative to instrumentation teams across the entire Gemini Partnership who are designing, fabricating, and testing Gemini’s next-generation instruments. Reporting to the Director, this position requires a broad range of technical, scientific, and management skills. Gemini’s development program involves resources across the diverse Gemini Partner countries and provides the Observatory’s user community with state-of-the-art research tools.  Requirements include:

•    Extensive experience with facility-class astronomical instrumentation
•    Demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to quickly acquire the necessary understanding of complex issues
•    Project management of highly distributed multi-million dollar programs
•    Experience in strategic planning, budgetary planning, and financial management
•    Experience in identifying project risks and developing strategies for addressing such challenges
•    Experience developing metrics to monitor and assess progress across many independent development teams
•    Ability to create clear and deliver meaningful presentations to governing boards
•    Experience working in an astronomical observatory environment
•    Preference given to qualified candidates with advanced degree in astronomy

Significant travel is required in order to interact on a regular basis with Gemini’s instrument teams.  Proposed starting date is early to mid-2009.

The consideration and evaluation of candidate materials will begin during December 2008 and will continue until the search has concluded.
  

How To Apply

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Deputy Director/Head of Science

• Location: La Serena, Chile
• Deadline for Application: see below
• Job Code: SCI101PW

We are seeking a senior astronomer for the position of DEPUTY DIRECTOR/HEAD OF SCIENCE. The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the Director of the Observatory in duties dealing with internal and external affairs.  This position has the top-level responsibility of ensuring that the scientific mission of the Observatory is fulfilled.    The position is located in La Serena, Chile and represents the Director at Gemini –South.

This position will assist the Director in the strategic and long-term planning of observatory affairs.  As Head of Science, the Deputy will advise the Director on science strategy, including monitoring observatory science productivity and impact and fostering strategic scientific use of the Gemini telescopes and instruments.  This position will advise the Director on observatory science policy and relevant scientific matters.  As Head of Science, the position will promote Gemini science results and capabilities; promote Gemini science staff research; and lead the tenure process for tenured-track science staff.

Ph.D. astronomers with the ability to communicate with a variety of Board members, oversight and advisory committee members, and users throughout the Gemini partnership are encouraged to apply.  The candidate should have several (at least 10) years experience as a research scientist; several years experience working in a leadership position in an observatory, a national laboratory environment or an equivalent organization.  The desired starting date for the position is mid-2009. The appointment is at the tenure-track, tenured level or as a senior scientist. The appointment is based in La Serena Chile.

The selected candidate will be an employee of AURA, which provides an excellent compensation and benefits package. Send current resume and research statement along with cover letter relating your experience and education to the needs of the position.  Please include the names and contact information of three individuals familiar with your work and credentials from whom a reference may be obtained.

The consideration and evaluation of candidate materials will begin September 30, 2008 and will continue until the search has concluded.
 

How To Apply

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Data Analysis Specialist

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: SCI503P

We have an opening for a Data Analysis Specialist at Gemini North, in Hilo, Hawaii. The Data Analysis Specialists are part of the Gemini Science staff and provide essential operational, technical and archival support for data handling at the Observatory.  The Data Analysis Specialists monitor the flow of astronomical data from the science instruments to the science archive including configuration and operation of the on-line data processing system.  In addition, they provide both expert data checking and quality assessment for ‘queue’ data.  Familiarity with ground-based observational astronomical data is required.
Applicants must have knowledge of the Unix/Linux operating system.  A good working knowledge of IRAF, as well as experience with high-level scripting in Unix/Linux command shell and Python/Perl is preferred.  Requires excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to learn quickly.  Preference will be given to applicants familiar with a broad range of observational data and processing techniques.  Must have a bachelor’s degree in Astronomy, Physics or Computer Science and/or equivalent experience in astronomical data handling; Master’s degree is preferred.

How To Apply

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Lead System Support Associate

• Location: La Serena, Chile
• Deadline for Application: November 30, 2008
• Job Code: SCI407PW

The Gemini Observatory has an opening for a Lead System Support Associate at our Gemini South location in La Serena, Chile. The Lead Gemini System Support Associate (SSA) has primary responsibility for operating and safeguarding our 8.1-meter telescope for both nighttime and daytime science operations.  The SSAs assist scientists in conducting scientific observations at night.  Daytime, sea level support responsibilities include support of daytime engineering work and routine daily telescope and instrument checks, as well as other Observatory support and development work matched to the individual interests of the SSA. SSAs spend approximately 50% of their time in support of nighttime operations, 25-30% in scheduled daytime support and 20-25% in support of development or other support work outside of daily operations.
The telescope is located on the summit of Cerro Pachon, approximately 100 km east of La Serena, at an altitude of 2800 meters in the foothills of the beautiful Andes mountains.  The sea level facility is in La Serena, a modern, beachfront city with a pleasant climate and a population of ~200,000. 
The Lead SSA position additionally is responsible for supervising the Gemini South SSA group (total of 6, including the lead).  This involves coordination and oversight of the SSAs duties, and close interaction with the Gemini North Lead SSA.  The Lead SSA also works closely with the Gemini South Head of Science Operations to ensure that the SSA group is well-motivated and productive, and aligned with the Observatory's mission and priorities.  The Lead SSA participates in strategic planning for the Observatory and is expected to provide leadership both to the other SSAs and in advising upper management in issues related to telescope operations.  The Lead SSA participates in the same functional duties as the other SSAs, but may spend less time at the summit in order to allow time for their lead duties.
The successful applicant must possess leadership qualities, be safety conscious, willing to participate in safety training and assume safety responsibilities at night on the summit. Must possess good communication skills and knowledge of software and hardware systems. Familiarity with UNIX, TCL, C, Java, Perl and Python a plus. Must possess working knowledge of astronomical instruments and optical and/or infrared observing techniques. Must have previous experience in ground-based telescope operation of the 4-meter class or above.  Operation of 8-10-meter class telescopes, and or previous supervisor experience strongly preferred. Bachelor’s of Science in science, engineering, astronomy, or computer science required. Master’s in astronomy or physics desirable. Requires valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to drive 4WD vehicles.
Applications received by November 30th  will receive full consideration.

How To Apply

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High-Level Software Engineer

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: ENG713PW

Gemini Observatory is seeking a highly skilled and experienced software developer to become part of its High-
Level Development Group (HLDG). The High-Level Group develops tools that astronomers use to plan and
execute observations, process data, and control observatory hardware. The successful candidate will join a
small but motivated international team focused on providing a user experience to match the world-class
telescopes and instruments that Gemini provides to the research community.
We develop almost exclusively in Java, delivering web applications, Swing desktop applications, and
distributed backend services. We employ RMI and Jini technologies, XML, XML-RPC, and web services among
others. Our applications are built on the OSGi platform. Experience in any of these technologies is
considered a bonus, though not necessarily required for consideration. We are seeking developers with strong
object-oriented design and development skills, particularly in Java.
The job is very much development-oriented, but also includes maintenance and refactoring of an existing
code base. We work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, and communicate with scientists on a
daily basis to understand their requirements and translate them to working solutions. Experienced
developers are given the freedom to design software and select the most appropriate technologies for the
job.
Qualifications:
· A degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience (an advanced degree is preferred)
· At least five years of software development experience, with demonstrated problem solving skills
· Solid object-oriented design and development experience in Java
· Knowledge of design patterns
· Familiarity with developing in UNIX-like operating systems such as Linux or OS X
· Proven track-record of providing technical leadership for large-scale applications in distributed
environment
Additional Desirable Experience:
· RMI/Jini/Java Spaces
· Web services and frameworks (particularly Google Web Toolkit)
· OSGi and/or the Eclipse Rich Client Platform
· Distributed application design
· Multi-threaded and parallel computing
· Scheduling and optimization algorithms
· User interface design, particularly using Swing
Must be willing to work with a geographically distributed team. Excellent written and verbal skills in English
are required, and Spanish language skills are a bonus. Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid passport and be
willing to travel internationally, as required.

How To Apply

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Safety Program Manager

• Location: Hilo, Hawaii or La Serena, Chile
• Deadline for Application: open until filled
• Job Code: OPS307PW

Gemini Observatory is looking for a dynamic Safety Program Manager to continue the implementation of a world’s best practice safety and health management program which will make Gemini a leader in safety in the astronomy community. The successful candidate for this position will inspire, educate, and train all employees in physical risk reduction techniques, legal compliance and safety system development and implementation
Reporting to the Director, the Safety Program Manager will oversee Safety Coordinators in Hilo, Hawaii and La Serena, Chile and manage external consultants and projects. Other duties include:
• Facilitating the Executive Safety Leadership Team committee
• Managing and controlling the Gemini Safety System elements
• Assisting leadership to achieve a dynamic safety culture
• Long range safety planning
• Risk reduction inspections and interventions
• Safety and health documentation development and control
• Safety and health training
• Overseeing worker’s compensation functions
• Internal and external audits and inspections
• Preparing reports for visiting committees
The successful candidate will have:
• At least 5 years experience in a safety leadership position
• The ability to lead a safety program within an scientific/industrial environment
• The ability to interface effectively with all levels of a geographically dispersed organization in Hilo, Hawaii and La Serena, Chile.
• Strong influencing and follow-through skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Safety Management or Engineering discipline, a CSP is desirable although not essential
• Familiarity and experience within the safety industry in the USA or Chile is essential and familiarity with the safety industry in both countries is strongly desirable.
• Fluency in English, fluency in Spanish a plus
• Creativity, flexibility and excellent decision making skills
• Superior presentation and meeting facilitation skills
• Ability to work at 14,000 foot altitude
• Valid passport, able to travel regularly between Hilo and La Serena
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle

 

How To Apply

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