Senior Operations Scientist, SKA-Mid Science & Verification

Skatelescope; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

SKAO is seeking a talented SKA-Mid Senior Operations Scientist to join our team at the Science Operations Centre in Cape Town. The role focuses on leadership in operational planning and science verification during construction to operations transition.

The ideal candidate will bring broad operational experience in astronomical facilities, deep knowledge of radio astronomy instrumentation, data processing, and user support, and will guide a small team across cross-site activities.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in astronomy, physics, engineering, or related field.
• Proven ability to lead a small, diverse team in a dynamic ops env.
• Experience in scientific facilities operations and user support.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Expertise in radio astronomy data acquisition, processing and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and lead a high-performing team of operations scientists.
• Define strategic direction for SKA-Mid Science Operations.
• Collaborate with the SARAO Science Operations team.
• Contribute to development of operations plans, commissioning, and science verification.
• Support implementation of Science Verification and Operations plans.
• Interface with the SKA user community and provide helpdesk support.
• Support development of software to operate SKA telescopes.
• Coordinate activities across sites in SA, Australia, and UK.
• Communicate openly with internal and external stakeholders.
• Undertake research up to 25% of hours.
• Other duties as directed by the Head of Science Operations.

Skills

Team leadership

Radio astronomy

Operations planning

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Astronomy/Physics/Engineering

Job description

SKAO is seeking a talented SKA-Mid Senior Operations Scientist to join our team at the Science Operations Centre in Cape Town. The role focuses on leadership in operational planning and science verification during construction to operations transition.

The ideal candidate will bring broad operational experience in astronomical facilities, deep knowledge of radio astronomy instrumentation, data processing, and user support, and will guide a small team across cross-site activities.