SKA-Mid Commissioning Scientists
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.
SKA-Mid Commissioning Scientists
The SKA Observatory is seeking to appoint experienced and motivated radio astronomers to plan and execute the scientific commissioning of the SKA-Mid Telescope array. The postholders will form the nucleus of a small group of commissioning astronomers primarily based in Cape Town, South Africa, with the possibility of the location at the headquarters in the UK being considered under exceptional circumstances. We are also open to secondments.
The Role
As part of the construction of the SKA-Mid Telescope, a team of commissioning scientists is needed for planning, executing, and analyzing test observations. This recruitment aims to hire the first four roles, with the team expanding over the next 12 months. At the end of the construction phase of the project the SKA-Mid Science Operations team will be recruiting more positions. Should applicants applying for this role possess the relevant skills, and these are tested at interview and assessment, then they may receive the offer of a permanent contract. Other applicants may receive offers for this role based on a 4-year fixed term contract but will of course have the opportunity to apply for further roles with the Observatory following the completion of their contract. Commissioning activities will commence immediately and will continue through to initial operations of the telescope.
Two skill sets are required: organisational and technical. Therefore we aim to fill four posts, including one Lead. Depending on applicants' experience, one of the other posts may be at the Senior level:
- Lead Commissioning Scientist: Manages the commissioning team. Capable of leading the group, planning and documenting tests, and organising interactions with external stakeholders.
- Senior Commissioning Scientist: Acts as technical lead for the group and mentor to less experienced members. Must have significant commissioning experience and a deep understanding of interferometric radio astronomy and system issues. Quite likely to prefer secondment.
- Commissioning Scientist: Familiar with the operation of radio interferometric arrays and with high potential to develop commissioning skills.
The Lead reports to the Head of System Science and the SKA-Mid Telescope Director. The remaining positions will handle specific technical areas under the Lead's direction.
Please indicate on your application whether you would like to be considered for the Lead Commissioning Scientist position.
Research and Career Progression:
The appointees will be encouraged to carry out research in astronomy or astronomical instrumentation at a level commensurate with the requirements of the post (typically 25%) and in particular to exploit early opportunities with the SKA. Appropriate support, including conference travel, will be provided.
These roles are primarily based in Cape Town, South Africa, with occasional travel to the UK and Karoo. Applications to be based in the UK will be considered in exceptional cases.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment: we believe you perform your best when you have a healthy work-life balance. We are open to discussing flexible working opportunities with these roles being offered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis. Please raise your preference in your application.
We encourage applications from under-represented groups such as women and individuals with disabilities, as well as open conversations during the recruitment process in relation to any specific requirements.
There will be occasions where these roles require 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.
Informal enquiries may be made to Robert Laing, Head of System Science (Robert.Laing@skao.int).
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
The primary tasks of the Science Commissioning group are:
- Take responsibility for science commissioning tasks including but not limited to: planning, execution and analysis of test observations on the telescope array. The group will work closely with the System Science Group based at GHQ (UK), which has oversight of commissioning of both SKA Telescopes.
- Submit both written and verbal reports on the analysis done during the commissioning activities.
- Close collaboration with engineering (hardware and software) groups involved in construction to verify aspects of the system and to identify and suggest corrections as needed. There will be a particularly close interaction with the Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) Group based in Cape Town, South Africa to verify the top-level engineering requirements of the array.
- Maintain a close interaction with the Science Operations Group, in particular to support Science Verification.
- Create the documentation for commissioning test procedures, initially for the early deployment of SKA-Mid.
Further, the Lead Commissioning Scientist requires additional essential criteria, as follows:
- Lead the SKA-Mid Science Commissioning Group.
- Take responsibility for detailed planning of the science commissioning of the SKA-Mid Telescope.
- Oversee the development, execution and documentation of astronomical test procedures, initially for the early deployment of SKA-Mid.
- Take responsibility for specific technical areas.
- Maintain close and effective collaboration with Engineering (AIV), Science Operations and System Science groups.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
The appointees will be active radio astronomers with the following qualifications, skills and experience:
- PhD in astronomy or physics, with substantial experience in observational radio astronomy.
- Strong understanding of radio astronomical techniques, most importantly interferometry, and demonstrated ability to reduce and interpret data from radio telescopes.
- A good understanding of the science enabled by the SKA.
- Experience of working in one or more of the construction, commissioning or operation of a radio observatory.
- Experience of working in a team, contributing constructively to an inclusive and high performing team culture.
Additional Expertise for Senior Commissioning Scientist:
- Extensive commissioning experience.
- Deep technical knowledge of mid-frequency radio interferometry.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex and subtle system issues.
- Ability to act as a mentor to less experienced group members.
Additional Expertise for Lead Commissioning Scientist:
- Ability to successfully lead and manage a small team, promoting diversity and developing an inclusive, high-performing culture.
- Ability to manage workloads and priorities in a dynamic and collaborative environment and to manage a team to meet deadlines.
- Ability to influence people in different parts of a highly diverse organisation, including senior management and external stakeholders (e.g. potential SKA users).
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Proven track record in commissioning of radio telescopes (hardware or software), including test, scripting and debugging experience, and ability to analyse complex, system-level problems.
- Background in mid-frequency interferometry and/or non-imaging (beam-forming) applications such as pulsar search and timing. Experience in direction-dependent calibration methods would be a particular advantage.
- Experience of remote working with teams across multiple time zones.
- Proficiency in written documentation, particularly test and problem reporting in English.
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.