ngVLA - Scientist (Open Rank)

National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) seeks two Scientists (Open Rank) to join the ngVLA software design and development effort. 75% time on functional work within the ngVLA Science Support IPT; 25% for independent research. Primary responsibility: develop and maintain detailed software requirements for ngVLA Computing and Software IPT.

Travel to other NRAO sites required. Preferred duty station: NRAO Headquarters on the University of Virginia Grounds in Charlottesville, VA, with other

Qualifications

• The candidate must hold a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or a related field.
• Strong background in radio astronomy data reduction and analysis.
• Experience with software development and independent research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed software requirements for ngVLA computing and software IPT.
• Support calibration strategies and operation workflows for ngVLA.
• Contribute to calibration and imaging pipelines development.
• Carry out an independent astronomical research program.

Skills

Radio astronomy data reduction

Software development

Independent research

Interferometry

Education

PhD in Astronomy/Astrophysics/Physics

Tools

CASA

HPC/HTC

Job description

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe. We are currently designing the Next-Generation VLA (ngVLA), a new facility which will offer an order-of-magnitude advance over the current VLA and VLBA with first light expected in the 2030s.

At NRAO we are seeking two Scientists (Open Rank) to join a rapidly growing team to support the ngVLA software design and development effort. The appointee will be expected to spend 75% of their time on functional work as part of the ngVLA Science Support Integrated Product Team (IPT), with the remaining 25% available for independent research. The primary responsibility for this position will be to help develop and maintain detailed software requirements for the ngVLA Computing and Software IPT. Other responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, supporting the development of calibration and operation processes and workflows.

The preferred duty station for this position is at the NRAO Headquarters located on the University of Virginia Grounds in Charlottesville, VA, however other U.S. NRAO sites for the primary duty station will also be considered. Charlottesville is a charming mid-sized city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a rare blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture, consistently ranking among the most livable small cities in the US. Charlottesville offers an unusually high quality of life for its size, providing a blend of academic energy and outdoor recreation. Occasional travel to other NRAO sites is expected.

What You Will be Doing:

• Supporting the development and prototyping of operations processes and workflows.
• Developing detailed system and subsystem requirements for ngVLA software, including but not limited to the calibration and imaging pipelines and their underlying functionality.
• Contributing to calibration strategies under development for ngVLA.
• Carrying out a program of independent astronomical research.

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment.

Who You Are:

• You have a PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics or a related field, and (preferably) at least 3 years of related experience after PhD.
• Previous experience in radio astronomy data reduction and analysis, software development, and/or commissioning.
• Established record of independent research.
• Research expertise in interferometric radio/millimeter/submillimeter astronomy.
• Proficiency working with a geographically distributed, multi-disciplinary team.

While not required, you may have:

• Experience with standard radio astronomy data reduction software (e.g., CASA)
• Experience with observatory capability development and/or observatory operations.
• Experience with modern machine learning / deep learning techniques and software packages
• Experience with high performance or high throughput computing (HPC/HTC)
• Experience leading a team.

Competency Summary

• Fluency in the English language.
• Excellent communication skills including both presentations and writing technical reports.

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor new H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary rate for this position is between $85,000 – 138,000. Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to [e-mail].