Project Director

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community, and allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is currently undergoing upgrades expected to provide a factor of two-to-four improvements over current capabilities, the Wide-band Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU). In order to maintain its position as a premier astrophysical facility well into the future, the NRAO and ALMA partners are beginning to make plans beyond WSU for future improvement of the highly successful ALMA observatory. Envisaged is a factor of 10 increase in spectral line sensitivity, and a 2-3x increase in angular resolution, the ALMA2040 project. Community involvement is beginning, as is the development of the concept that will eventually be presented in upcoming Decadal Surveys, and transition to a design/development project early next decade.

The NRAO is seeking to appoint an ALMA2040 Project Director to lead all phases of the North American ALMA 2040 project. The ALMA2040 Project Director is expected to provide scientific leadership for the NA ALMA2040 project, assuring that the scientific, technical, and programmatic activities are of the highest quality. The ALMA2040 Project Director will work closely with NRAO, AUI, and NSF management in the development of overall policy and strategic and annual planning to ensure the success of the project. The ALMA2040 Project Director will interact with key project stakeholders, including the scientific community, NRAO oversight and user’s committees, and international partners.

The successful candidate may be appointed as a tenured astronomer or tenure-track astronomer (astronomer or associate astronomer); the rank of the appointment will depend on the candidate’s experience. The appointee will be expected to spend 50% of their time on ALMA2040-focused functional responsibilities and may use the remaining 50% time on independent research. The appointee will be a member of the NA ALMA team under the direction of the NRAO North American ALMA Director.

The position will be based at the NRAO Headquarters located on the University of Virginia Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia.

What You Will be Doing:

• Providing leadership to the ALMA2040 project, under the direction of the NA ALMA Director
• Developing, organizing, and leading NRAO/NA activities related to ALMA2040
• Developing, organizing, and leading community activities related to ALMA2040
• Leading the Decadal process (community support, white paper development, and related activities)
• Engaging with international partners to pursue a unified ALMA2040 vision
• Working with funding agencies to support the ALMA2040 project
• Working closely with the NA ALMA Director and NA ALMA Program Scientist on ALMA2040 issues
• Providing regular information and status reports to internal and external stakeholders

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented, and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. Some domestic and international travel will be required for this position.

Who You Are:

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of excellence in research and research leadership, and demonstrated ability to provide vision and leadership for development of new, innovative science and technical concepts and directions relevant to NRAO’s strategic mission and the ALMA2040 project specifically.

Education

• You have a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, physical science, or a closely related field.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 8 years (15+ years preferred) of experience in leading and/or managing complex scientific research or technical projects. In addition, for an Associate Astronomer a minimum of three years as a member of scientific staff; and for the Astronomer level the minimum is six years as a member of scientific staff;
• National and international recognition as a scientific leader in astronomy;
• A demonstrated record of project completion, and knowledge of ALMA and the broader astronomical community.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a strong and effective team;
• Demonstrated ability to lead scientific research initiatives;
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen and problem solve, work in a team, and collaborate effectively;
• Must be able to communicate effectively in the English language, verbally and in writing, to both highly-technical and non-technical audiences, including presentations and written reports;
• The ability to design & develop, plan, and implement effective scientific and/or technical workshops, working groups, and conferences;
• Experience working with international partners and in multi-cultural environments;
• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:
  • Astronomical telescopes; radio telescopes; RF, microwave- or millimeter-wave systems. Research and/or technical expertise in interferometric radio/millimeter/submillimeter astronomy is preferred;
• Established record of independent research.

Additional Requirements

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory currently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary of this position is between $114,000 - $138,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button above. Please prepare a single PDF document consisting of the following items:

1. Cover letter describing why you are interested in this position. The letter should describe how you match the qualifications listed above and your vision for ALMA2040 (maximum 2 pages);
2. Curriculum vitae, including list of refereed publications;
3. Summary of past technical, scientific, and/or leadership experience relevant to the position (maximum 3 pages);
4. Description of research accomplishments and future research plans (maximum 3 pages);
5. The names and contact details of three (3) people who are familiar with your experience and abilities. As part of the selection process, we may request letters of reference from these individuals.

The PDF file is to be uploaded with the “Additional Documents” feature at the applicant portal; the file name format should follow this convention: LastName,FirstInitial_ALMA2040.pdf.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately. Please email inquiries to Joseph Pesce: View email address on click.appcast.io

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. PM20

Compensation details: 114000-138000 Yearly Salary

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