The IAC (Tenerife, Spain) invites applications for ONE SUPPORT ASTRONOMER (SA) POSITION at the Observatorio del Teide (OT) and Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos (ORM). Research topics at the IAC (theory, observations and instrumentation) include most areas of Astrophysics: cosmology and the structure of the Universe, galactic astrophysics, the structure and evolution of stars, the interstellar medium, solar physics, telescope design and construction, high spatial resolution techniques, infrared and optical instrumentation, and astronomical space projects.  The IAC also leads the scientific teams responsible for the Day One instruments of the 10.4 m GTC segmented telescope (http://www.gtc.iac.es), as well as their scientific exploitation.  Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the GTC is available on the IAC’s Web page (http://www.iac.es/).

The Support Astronomers Group, under the direct supervision of the IAC Telescopic Installations’ Manager (JOT), belongs to the IAC's Research Division and provides support at several telescopes, including, among others, the 1.52 m Carlos Sánchez Telescope (TCS) and the 0.82 m IAC80 Telescope, together with the IAC’s common user instruments at both, OT and ORM Observatories (INTEGRAL, IACUB, TIP-II, etc.).

OT and ORM Support Astronomers devote the main fraction of their time (70% or more) to support-tasks associated with the OT and ORM. The successful candidate will spend about 8 days per month at the Observatories and the rest of the time at the IAC´s headquarters in La Laguna devoted to support tasks.  Up to 30% of their time may be dedicated to personal research.

Duties

• Maintaining and tending the quality of the IAC’s Telescopes at the OT and associated instrumentation, as well as the telescopic instrumentation at the ORM.
• Calibration of the instruments’ performance during the observation of different objects.
• Observation of standard calibration stars.
• Development of accurate and friendly software for the reduction of the obtained data.
• Writing of the user’s manuals, for both non-experienced and experienced users.
• Proposal, development and commissioning of improvements in the instrumentation.
• Providing support to the astronomers, in order to obtain the maximum output from their observations.
• Providing support during the IAC’s Service Nights, allocated by the Spanish Time Allocation Committee.
• Providing support to astronomers using the IAC telescopes at the OT and the IAC instrumentation at the ORM.
• Observational expertise is the primary qualification for this position, although research highlights will also be taken into consideration.
• Giving talks and seminars.

Qualifications, knowledge and skills

• Applicants should have a PhD in Physics or Astrophysics.
• Experience with telescopes, preferably those installed at the Canarian observatories, astronomical research and instrumentation, and expertise with data reduction and analysis.
• Knowledge of the astronomical packages (IRAF, IDL, etc.) and design of web sites, as well as experience with scientific computing in Solaris, Linux and PC environments.
• Interest in and desire to increase their knowledge of those areas in which they are less experienced.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and being part of a small and dynamic team.
• High motivation in assisting and providing support to users.
• Fluent in Spanish and good level of English, both written and oral.
• Driving license in force.

Previous experience as Support Astronomer and interest in astrophysical instrumentation will be particularly valued.

Doctorate: Applicants must have obtained a doctorate in Physics or Astrophysics. You will need to produce due accreditation that you are in possession of the title of Doctor at the moment of signing the contract.

NOTE: Applicants who prepared their thesis at the IAC must present written evidence of having spent one continuous year, or 18 accumulated months, in other research institutes.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 32.405,56 € per annum, subject to up to 20% tax and Social Security deductions. Medical insurance under the Spanish National Health Service will be provided, and will also cover your accompanying partner and children (if relevant).

Duration: The contract will start as soon as possible after the publication of the Resolution by the Director IAC, with a lasting period of three years, subject to annual review . 

Non-UE citizens: If you are citizen of a country not belonging to the European Union, you are not allowed to sign any contract with the IAC until you obtain the compulsory documentation required to live and work in Spain (Visa, Residence Permit, Work Permit Waiver). Please contact the Spanish consulate in your country for details.

Compulsory documentation to submit:

• The Application Form: WORD, PDF.
• Curriculum Vitae, bibliography, brief statement of research interests, and a covering letter telling us about the skills you can bring to the job.
• A photocopy of your PhD degree or certificate.
• A photocopy of your passport.
• At least two letters of recommendation must be sent (electronic submission preferred) directly by researchers or professionals familiar with your work, to the Secretariat of the IAC's Research Division secinv@iac.es.
• Certificates of attendance at courses, certificates of languages and of any other information that can help the board in the selection process.

Questions about the position are encouraged and can be addressed to Dr. Alejandro Oscoz Abad (aoscoz@iac.es).