Astronomer - Sustainability Expert

GRANTECAN - Gran Telescopio Canarias; la Palma de Cervelló; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

GRANTECAN - Gran Telescopio Canarias in La Palma, Spain, invites applications for an Astronomer – Sustainability Expert to lead its Sustainability Plan and to contribute to the digital transformation and optimisation of GTC operations.

The successful candidate will combine astrophysics expertise with sustainability practices, coordinate the sustainability committee, and advance carbon footprint calculations, life-cycle assessment, and sustainable procurement.

Qualifications

• First-cycle degree in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Full driving license (B).
• Experience in observational astrophysics and sustainability practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of GRANTECAN's Sustainability Plan and carbon footprint improvements.
• Contribute to the telescope's digital transformation and automation of operations.
• Collaborate across teams to integrate sustainability into procurement and planning.

Skills

Python

C

C++

Astrophysics

Sustainability

Spanish communication

English communication

Education

First-cycle degree in Physics/Math/Engineering

Tools

LCA tools

Job description

Astronomer - Sustainability Expert

GRANTECAN - Gran Telescopio Canarias

La Palma, Spain

€ 39,887.58 - € 44,709.40 per year gross

The public company Gran Telescopio de Canarias, S.A. (GRANTECAN) is launching an open selection process to recruit one Astronomer – Sustainability Expert to lead the implementation and monitoring of GRANTECAN’s Sustainability Plan, as well as to contribute to the digital transformation and optimisation of GTC operations.

GRANTECAN looks for people with outstanding talent and skills to operate, maintain and improve the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GTC), enabling the execution of scientific projects of the highest quality in the field of Astrophysics. To this end, it requires people with integrity, responsibility, transparency, respect and honesty in their work, who seek continuous improvement, personal safety, the integrity of the facility, efficiency and innovation in their actions, as well as responsible and sustainable use, with the primary objective of caring for the environment.

Duties

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Scientific Operations. Their main duties will fall within the scope of the following two technical and scientific services:

The implementation of GRANTECAN Sustainability Plan. This involves planning and carrying out the actions identified in the Plan, which includes updating and improving the calculation of GRANTECAN’s carbon footprint, developing and applying Life-Cycle Assessment methodologies to the GTC, providing advice on sustainability aspects within the public procurement process, and coordinating GRANTECAN’s sustainability committee, amongst other tasks;

Digital transformation. GRANTECAN is undertaking a deep digital transformation aimed at optimising the telescope’s operational processes and increasing its efficiency, automation and performance. As part of this process, the successful candidate’s role will focus on contributing to the design and implementation of solutions for the automation of the GTC science operations.

For these reasons, GRANTECAN seeks a profile that combines a background in Astrophysics with knowledge and experience in sustainability within this field of science or related areas.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• First-cycle university degree [QF-EHEA] (MECES Level 2) in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or equivalent disciplines;
• Full current driving license (Level B or higher).

Experience, Knowledge and Specific Core Competencies

• Observational Astrophysics, including processing and analysis of astrophysical data obtained from optical/infrared telescopes;
• Sustainability (covering its three pillars: environmental, economic and social);
• Programming in Python, C, or C++;
• Effective communication in Spanish, both spoken and written, sufficient to perform the required professional duties;
• Effective communication in English, both spoken and written, sufficient to perform the required professional duties.

Experience and/or Knowledge in Complementary Specific Competencies

• MECES Level 3 or 4 (QF-EHEA) in disciplines listed in Section A;
• Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies;
• Carbon footprint calculation, including that associated with information technology;
• Sustainable public procurement;
• Operation and development of optical/infrared telescopes;
• Big Data and Artificial Intelligence;
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment;
• Leadership and organisational skills, with emphasis on adapting to change, transparency, selforganisation and teamwork.