VACANCY - Parkes Senior Systems Scientist

Applications are invited for a position as Senior Systems Scientist: Parkes, at AustraliaÂ’s principal radio astronomical facility, the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF).

The 64-m diameter Parkes radio telescope is the largest single-dish telescope dedicated for radio astronomy use in the southern hemisphere, and has an outstanding international reputation for exceptional performance and astronomical research. The telescope operates over an exceptionally broad wavelength range from 1 cm to 70 cm. It is maintained as a state-of-the-art instrument and carries out world class astronomical research. In terms of scientific citations per paper, Parkes is now the most highly cited radio telescope in the world. Recent and planned upgrades include a single-beam receiver for 13-mm observations, a seven-beam receiver for 6-cm observations (primarily for methanol masers), a polyphase digital filterbank for pulsar research, and a 13-beam digital filter bank.

As the Senior Systems Scientist, you will take a leading role in maximising the scientific productivity of the Parkes radio telescope, located near Parkes, a thriving rural town 400 km west of Sydney, Australia. You will be expected to gain a deep understanding of the telescopeÂ’s operation, help visiting astronomers make the best use of the telescope in innovative ways, contribute at a high level to the scientific specification and development of new systems, and follow projects through to commissioning and scientific use. Approximately 30 per cent of time will be available for personal astronomical or instrumental research.

The commencement annual salary is in the range of $A86K to $A115K plus superannuation. Reasonable relocation expenses are also payable. Applications close 31 July 2008. The Job Reference number is 2008/712 via www.csiro.au/careers.

Added by Alison Jones on 2008-05-30