At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Construction activities for the SKAO’s telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.
SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes’ data.
For more information on the SKA project visit https://www.skao.int/
The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.
A unique opportunity for a talented and motivated radio astronomer to play major roles in the scientific verification and operation of the world’s largest low-frequency radio telescope. This role has a specific focus on expertise in the areas of Epoch of Rionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, or intensity mapping.
The Role
We are looking to recruit an Operations Scientist who will further enhance our growing SKA-Low Science Operations team, in particular with expertise in the areas of the Epoch of Reionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, or intensity mapping.
The SKA-Low Operations Scientists will have a unique opportunity to shape the operation of the SKA-Low Telescope through the sharing of their domain knowledge and expertise. During construction and early array deployment, they will assist with commissioning as well as plan and conduct science verification. The Science Operations team will verify the end-to-end science process, including proposal submission, scheduling, execution, data reduction and delivery.
Once the Telescope will be fully operational, the SKA-Low Operations Scientists will develop new capabilities, respond to new science directions and provide astronomical observing expertise to operators, ensuring the successful delivery of data for the key science objectives of the SKAO.
The SKA-Low Operations Scientist will be based at the Science Operations Centre in Perth, Australia.
They will collaborate with multidisciplinary SKAO colleagues and interact with the global science community to communicate progress. SKAO also has close contacts with universities in Australia, allowing for co-supervision of students and postdoctoral fellows.
The SKA-Low Operations Scientist will also have the opportunity to maintain an active research career, with up to 25% of their time available for personal research.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.
There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
- Contribute to the commissioning and science verification of array releases, including the development and implementation of test plans and procedures, with a particular focus on the Epoch of Reionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, or intensity mapping.
- Support the development and continual refinement of the science operational model for the SKA-Low Telescope, including the software needed.
- Provide user support to the scientific community including ensuring the broadest possible accessibility to SKA observing time and data.
- Effectively collaborate with SKAO Science Operations staff across the three sites; some travel to the SKA-Mid Telescope site in South Africa and SKAO Global Headquarters in the UK could be required.
- Optionally undertake a programme of personal research up to 25% of employed hours.
- Undertake other reasonable duties as directed.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- A doctorate or equivalent experience in astronomy, physics, engineering, or closely related field.
- Expertise in radio astronomy techniques including in the acquisition, reduction and analysis of interferometric astronomical data.
- An appreciation, understanding of and demonstrated experience in the radio astronomy science cases motivating the SKA Observatory, in particular in the areas of the Epoch of Reionisation, Cosmic Dawn, low frequency cosmology, and/or intensity mapping.
- Demonstrated aptitude to undertake scientific facility operation, provide user support and translate the needs of the user to requirements and/or operational policies.
- Demonstrated aptitude to work collaboratively across disciplines, with engineers and scientists from a variety of cultures, contributing to an inclusive team environment.
- Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
- An awareness of, and commitment to, equitable practices, including accessibility, to facilitate broad access to the Observatory.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience with, or understanding of, ionospheric and direction-dependent calibration techniques relevant to the frequencies of the SKA-Low Telescope.
- Experience understanding and articulating the needs of a user (e.g. radio astronomer) to inform the development of requirements (e.g. through a series of use cases) and/or operational policies.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.
