National Radio Astronomy Observatory – Community Programs Lead, NA ALMA – Charlottesville, VA

Job Description

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Job title: Community Programs Lead, NA ALMA

Company: National Radio Astronomy Observatory
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Job description: National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Position Description:

Position Summary:

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking qualified candidates for a Community Programs Lead for the North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC). The Programs Lead, a scientist with significant management and leadership experience in science outreach, will develop and coordinate NAASC programs that enhance the use of ALMA, support and expand the user base, foster ALMA science in the North American (NA) community, and facilitate publication of ALMA results within the community.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatorys (NRAO) mission is to enable forefront research into the Universe at radio wavelengths. In partnership with the scientific community, we:

• Provide world leading telescopes, instrumentation and expertise,
• Train the next generation of scientists and engineers, and
• Promote astronomy to foster a more scientifically literate society.

The North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC) is the science operations division of North American ALMA, a department of NRAO. It supports the North American astronomical community in using ALMA and, in collaboration with the ALMA international partners, provides scientific support for the operations of the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Chile. ALMA carries out routine science operations with more than 4000 hours of scientific observations scheduled for each of the upcoming observing cycles.

NRAO staff scientists are expected to enable cutting-edge science by the community and to help enhance the observing capabilities of ALMA in addition to contributing to the overall NRAO mission. They must be able to contribute positively to a collaborative environment that requires both individual leadership and teamwork. Staff scientists are also expected to be versatile and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as NRAOs astronomical landscape and observatory functional needs evolve.

Position Details

The Community Programs Leads overall leadership responsibilities include

• Planning a robust program of NA community scientific outreach, under the overall direction of the NAASC Head;
• Recommending to NA ALMA management the priorities that provide best program outcomes within the available resources;
• Executing the agreed program; and
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the program, and recommending adjustments as needed.

Current goals of community programs include

• Optimizing the scientific use of ALMA by NA community members;
• Broadening the user base of NA ALMA among communities or geographic areas that are under-represented;
• Helping to expand use to scientific sub-disciplines beyond the radio/mm/submm (RMS);
• Training the NA community in the preparation of ALMA observing proposals and data reduction/analysis;
• Enriching the community science environment through conferences, workshops, and summer schools; and,
• Facilitating the publication of data for all ALMA users in NA.

The Community Programs Lead will also have an important role in enhancing the NAASC as science center, so that it serves as the focal point for ALMA research in North America, and as a resource for scientific and technical expertise for ALMA. The Community Programs Lead will serve as a liaison to the community to provide information and receive feedback on needs and performance.

NRAO staff scientists are expected to carry out an independent research program using 25% of their time and are provided travel and computing support. An applicants research program may be multi-wavelength in nature but is generally expected to be synergistic with the science relevant to NRAOs current and planned facilities (e.g., ALMA), and with the mission of the NRAO. Active and engaged research is important because staff scientists are expected to push the telescopes capabilities, building on their own research and the needs of the broader astronomical community.

NRAO conducts a range of programs in education and public outreach, diversity and inclusion, and broader impacts, and encourages interested staff to participate in these activities. While NRAO is not a degree-granting institution, its programs for undergraduate and graduate student research experiences afford opportunities for staff to mentor and interact with students.

Location and Compensation

An appointment in residence at our NRAO headquarters located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is preferred; however, a remote work station or fraction of tele-work time may be considered for candidates with sufficient experience. In addition to competitive pay, NRAO provides excellent paid time off benefits (vacation and sick leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAOs retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participants base pay, and is effective the first full pay period after six months of employment. No contribution is required of the employee; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Work Environment

Domestic and international travel is required for scientific conferences, training events, etc.

In the case of a remote work arrangement, periodic visits 3-5 times per year to the NAASC for face-to-face interactions, according to needs, will be required.

Job Duties Summary

• Lead the NAASC Community Programs Group, which includes

• Strategic planning, priority recommendation, and the execution of NAASC Community Programs
• Managing staff within the Community Programs group
• Formal and informal communication of status to NAASC and NRAO management, including committee and conference presentations and contributions to reports, as needed
• Responsibilities will include development and overall coordination of annual and long-term scientific outreach programs. Examples of these may include

• Community events
• Training workshops and Summer Schools
• Publication facilitation programs
• Scientific Conference facilitation
• AAS and major conference presence
• NAASC student and scientific visitor programs
• Establishing and maintaining metrics for the effectiveness of these program
• Other responsibilities as may arise

The appointment will be on the NRAO Scientist track, with up to 25% discretionary research time. The position is nominally at the Associate Scientist level but higher ranks may be considered based on the candidates experience. For functional work, the staff scientist will report to the NAASC Head or their designee. Functional duties are expected to include, but are not limited to, Community Programs. The hiring committee will consider all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Minimum Education

PhD in astronomy, physics, or a related field

Minimum Experience and Skills

• 5 years of post-doctoral or equivalent experience in astronomy or closely-related field
• Established and recognized record of independent research
• Demonstrated experience in the leadership of community outreach programs
• Strong oral and written communications and intrapersonal skills

Preferred Experience

• Research expertise in interferometric radio/millimeter/submillimeter astronomy, especially with ALMA;
• Research or community liaison experience in complementary astronomical research areas, such as optical, infrared, or x-ray;
• Management of staff in science outreach or other science support activities;
• Demonstrated interest in broadening participation and commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Observatory has determined that all employees who intend to be physically present in the facilities and employees who work in safety sensitive positions are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with our AUI vaccine policy and provide proof of full vaccination prior to your start date. If you will require medical or religious accommodations, please contact the site HR department.

Application Instructions:

Select the Apply button. You will need to be prepared to upload a single PDF document consisting of the following items:

• Cover letter stating the candidates interest and vision for the position, match to the qualifications listed, and summary of past experience relevant to the position (maximum 3 pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• List of refereed publications
• Description of research accomplishments and future research plans (maximum 4 pages)
• Names of three people who can serve as references

The deadline for receipt of all application materials is October 21, 2022 at 23:59 ET. Please direct inquiries to Tavia Dillon ( ).

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to .

PM20

PI192556046
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Expected salary:

Location: Charlottesville, VA

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