Observing Assistant or Associate

Overview

The NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIR Lab) program has an opening for at least one Observing Assistant or Associate (OA), depending on experience, to join the Observing Support Team, operating the complex Mayall 4m and WIYN 3.5m telescopes located at Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO).

The OA provides fundamental support for astronomers who use these telescopes and their instruments and is responsible for making scientific and technical decisions that maximize the scientific yield. The Mayall 4m is currently dedicated to the five-year Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument survey (DESI), which utilizes a robotic 5000-fiber focal plate feeding a series of ten spectrographs to carry out a comprehensive redshift survey of over 30 million galaxies.

A large portion of the WIYN 3.5-m telescope time is dedicated to a NASA-funded radial velocity follow up of exoplanet candidates using NN-EXPLORE Exoplanet Investigations with Doppler Spectroscopy (NEID), a high precision spectrograph. Both projects are exciting initiatives operating at the frontier of astronomical research and the supporting OA is crucial to their success. Additional imaging and spectroscopic instruments are utilized on WIYN by the University partners in the WIYN consortium as well as the NN-EXPLORE community.

• Conducts a walk-through of the facility prior to operations to verify the integrity of automatic systems, safety, and to inspect for unreported failures.
• Carries out safety briefings for on-site observers.
• Acts as the Kitt Peak safety watch 4pm until sunrise
• Operates the telescope at night for the observing astronomers, evaluates suitability of weather conditions for observing and continued operation, monitors telescope and instrument performance, and tracks data quality.
• Verbally communicates clearly and effectively with on-site and remote observers operating the instruments during nightly operations.
• Provides clear and accurate reports concerning technical, safety or facilities problems, and for initial troubleshooting, workarounds or solutions implemented.
• Assists technical and engineering staff with verification of proper telescope and instrument performance.
• Provides basic services including supplying and requisitioning gases and cryogenic liquids, upkeep of consumable material stocks, maintaining on-line documentation, coordination of observing logs and observing statistics.
• May assist daytime technical staff with instrument installation, maintenance or preparation for observing operations; becomes familiar with data acquisition techniques and rudimentary data quality assessment.
• Participates in emergency medical training to at least First Responder level, learns to man the fire response station and how to run the ambulance and fire truck.
• Takes appropriate action with site safety and emergency procedures.
• Reports possible snow or obstructions on observatory road to Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) as necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in astronomy, physics, engineering or related field is expected; however, substantial experience with the operation of complex computer-controlled opto-mechanical or similar equipment may be acceptable.
• An understanding of, or practical experience with telescopes, optical or infrared astronomical instruments, electronic detectors, or astronomical observing techniques are preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Ability to work night shifts up to 15.5 hours in length for up to 6 consecutive nights in a typical 15-day rotation, and reside on site during the shift.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop;…