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University of California Observatories Assistant Project Scientist

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Position overview

Position title: Assistant Project Scientist
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be full‐time for 2 years. Reappointment may be considered contingent upon the availability of work and appropriate funding.

Position description

The University of California Observatories(https://www.ucobservatories.org) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for an Assistant Project Scientist. Under the supervision of the Laboratory for Adaptive Optics Director Dr. Philip Hinz, the Assistant Project Scientist will assist in all stages of astronomical instrument fabrication, from conceptual design to commissioning. The instruments planned in the next few years includes, but are not limited to, SCALES, FOBOS, and APF and Keck Adaptive secondaries. These varied instruments will support science ranging from spectroscopy of extra-solar planets, spectroscopy of distant galaxies, and vastly improved throughput for existing Lick and Keck instruments.

Applicants with experience or expertise in any of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

  • Design skills including demonstrated experience in optical design, mechanical design, tolerancing, thermal analysis, requirement tracking, infrared instrumentation, and lenslet and slicer integral field spectroscopy.
  • Laboratory skills including demonstrated experience in optical metrology, optical alignment, mechanical metrology, cryogenic-vacuum systems, wiring and electrical testing, computer programming and basic machining.
  • Instrument commissioning including assisting in developing and executing test plans and demonstrated experience with the use of adaptive optics systems, spectrographs, imaging systems, and integral field spectrographs.
  • Interpersonal skills including experience working in a matrixed organization and/or experience working on multiple projects simultaneously, and experience working with remote telescope sites.
  • Communication skills including excellent written and oral presentation skills and demonstrated experience with grant writing and instrument design reviews.
  • Working in an academic work environment including demonstrated experience supporting undergraduate students, graduate students, career researchers, technicians, and engineers.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • PhD (or an equivalent foreign degree) in astronomy or related field and 4 years' of experience (post-degree) designing and building astronomical instrumentation for large ground-based telescopes.
  • A record of scientific publications demonstrating experience in the development of astronomical instrumentation.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position. Please be sure to address how you meet the advertised basic qualifications

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include three professional references along with their contact information. The search committee will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration

  • Publication List

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -  Statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion: Statement addressing your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups and your past and/or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through research and professional or public service. Candidates are urged to review guidelines on statements (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/diversity.html) before preparing their application.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01285

Help contact: gcoolidg@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location

Santa Cruz, California