Vacant Position – Senior Astronomer

SARAO; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

SARAO, based in Cape Town, seeks a senior researcher to lead observational radio astronomy projects, develop new techniques, and support MeerKAT science commissioning and operations. The role emphasizes scientific leadership, software development, and collaboration with international partners.

Applicants should hold a PhD in astronomy or related field with extensive publication history, and demonstrate mentoring capability and strong data reduction and software skills for advanced radio

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy, astrophysics or related field.
• 8 years working in a research environment in radio astronomy post PhD.
• Extensive publications in peer‑reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Lead observational radio astronomy research and develop new techniques.
• Develop software, procedures and documentation for instruments and science.
• Test, commission and evaluate telescope equipment for MeerKAT and related systems.
• Prepare scientific papers and supervise junior staff and students.
• Coordinate stakeholder inputs to implement commissioning and verification plans.

Skills

Radio astronomy

Data reduction

Scientific programming

Technical writing

Mentoring

Education

PhD in astronomy/astrophysics or related field

Tools

Linux

Data reduction packages

Job description

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 05 November 2026

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT and KAT-7 telescopes in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The purpose of the role is: To lead research in specific domains of observational radio astronomy; to develop new radio astronomy techniques, and to apply these to drive new science with MeerKAT and other observatories; to support MeerKAT science commissioning and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research by observing, analysing and interpreting astronomical phenomena and developing methods, numerical models and techniques to extend knowledge
• Evaluating results of investigations and experiments and expressing conclusions, mainly using mathematical techniques and models
• Developing software, operational procedures and documentation by applying the principles and techniques of physics or astronomy in practice
• Testing, commissioning and evaluating equipment used in radio astronomy by applying principles, techniques and processes to develop or improve the telescope system
• Preparing scientific papers and reports
• Teaching the theory and practice of astrophysics and radio astronomy at different educational levels.
• Mentoring and training of junior staff members, graduate student supervision
• Coordinating inputs from external and internal stakeholders to develop and execute commissioning and science verification plans.
• Support observatory science operations needs.
• Facilitating regular feedback amongst team members, and coordinating their work
• Creating and coordinating scientific and technical working groups

Key Requirements

• PhD in astronomy, astrophysics or related field
• 8 years working in a research environment in the field of Radio Astronomy, post PhD

Experience

• Extensive experience in radio observations with at least two major observatories.
• Extensive track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals in physics or astronomy
• Track record of productive international collaborations.
• Extensive expertise with radio data reduction, software and instrumentation.
• Proficiency with modern data reduction packages.
• Technical and academic writing

Knowledge

• Familiarity with the Linux operating system.
• Mentoring of several young scientists and graduate students.
• Domain expertise in one or more areas of observational radio astronomy (e.g. HI, continuum surveys, polarimetry, VLBI, single dish, time domain radio astronomy, etc.)

Information

The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Closing Date: 05 November 2026

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only