ASIAA ALMA Taiwan ALMA
Home \ Taiwan-ARC Node \ Job Opening

ARC Astronomer and Postdoc for the Taiwan ARC Node

Contract Period:

2+2 yrs for ARC astronomer/postdoc

Closing Date:

31 December 2012

Details:

The Taiwan ARC node started officially on Nov 4, 2009. It is linked to the EA-ARC in Japan for the ARC core function. It is linked to the NA-ARC in US for the function beyond the ARC core function. An ARC astronomer/postdoc is required to work in both Taiwan and Chile, and to devote about 50% of his/her time for the ARC. The rest of his/her time can be used to perform his/her own research related to ALMA.

In Taiwan, the ARC astronomer/postdoc will work mainly on user support for local ALMA users. S/he will help providing a working environment for local users. S/he will help local users through helpdesk (e-mail) and face-to-face on (1) proposal preparation, (2) observation planning, (3) data delivery, and (4) post-observation data processing. In addition, s/he will also help training local users, such as organizing observing and data reduction tutorials, user workshops, and etc. S/he will also research/develop new approaches/algorithms for calibration, imaging, and scientific analysis tools. Moreover, during the proposal period, s/he will help the ARC to assess the technical feasibility for the proposal review, and to verify as well as correct schedule blocks for the observing programs. S/he will also help with ALMA software tests.

In Chile, the ARC astronomer/postdoc will provide observing support at the Operations Support Facility (OSF). In the full operation mode, s/he will serve as an Astronomer on Duty (AoD) at the OSF, keeping up to date on the realities of ALMA operations. Before or after each visit to the OSF, it is foreseen that s/he visits the Santiago Central Offices (SCO) in Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Santiago to interact with the local staff. So for the AoD, the stay is about 7 days at the OSF, 4 days Off, and 2 days at the SCO. Before the full operation mode, s/he will provide support to Commissioning and Science Verification (CSV) in Chile, as a pre-AoD type activity (8 days at the OSF, 6 days off, and 2 work-weeks at the SCO). In addition, s/he is encouraged to extend the stay in SCO to help checking science data obtained during the CSV and early science (ES) phases. In general, the total stay in Chile would be limited to 3 months per year. Longer stay in Chile could be considered if needed.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through ASIAA postdoc positions here (Application Page, deadline is 31 December 2012). Please direct your inquiries about the ARC work at ASIAA to Dr. Lee (E-mail: cfleeasiaa.sinica.edu.tw)

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Valid CSS!