Astronomer Wanted : Space Technology PhD Studentship and Astronomer for Mills Observatory
Posted: 21/10/2009
The University of Dundee and Dundee City Council are seeking an enthusiastic scientist, engineer or astronomer, most probably a recent graduate, to support public understanding of science activities related to the Mills Observatory. This position is coupled with a PhD studentship in the Space Technology Centre at the University of Dundee offering a unique opportunity to promote science and technology to the general public while studying for a PhD in a world leading research group.
The Mills Observatory in Dundee is the UK’s only full-time public observatory. It is the only British observatory to have been built with the sole aim of encouraging public understanding of science. It houses a Victorian 10 inch Cooke refractor, a 12 inch computerised Schmidt-Cassegrain, several smaller telescopes and a planetarium. The astronomer will be responsible for developing the public understanding of science programme related to the observatory, for updating and expanding the website, for giving talks on astronomy to school groups and the general public, and for preparing proposals for funding to support the development of the observatory.
The Space Technology Centre conducts internationally leading research into several areas of space technology: spacecraft onboard data handling, planetary lander technology and satellite data reception. The Centre is funded by ESA, NERC, BNSC, STFC, and Scottish Enterprise. It has had a major influence on the design of spacecraft onboard data-handling and processing systems. Specifically it led the development of the SpaceWire standard for ESA, which has now been widely adopted by the world’s space agencies and is being used on many space missions. The Space Technology Centre has also developed the PANGU planet surface simulation tool used by ESA and the European space industry for testing autonomous guidance technology for planetary landers and rovers. This is the leading European tool for this type of work. The Satellite Receiving Station is the main receiving station in the UK for receiving environmental science data. It now forms one half of the NERC Earth Observation Data Acquisition and Analysis Service (NEODAAS) whose work is regarded highly by environmental scientists and satellite communications engineers across the world. The astronomer will join a highly motivated team of engineers and scientists in a creative and challenging environment to study for their PhD. The research area of the PhD will be related to planet surface simulation and planetary lander technology.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about science, technology and astronomy, who is an able and enthusiastic communicator to people of all ages, and who wants to help push back the frontiers of space exploration while studying for their PhD. The successful candidate will have a 1st class or 2:1 degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Electronic Engineering or Computing with a strong interest in astronomy and space technology. Good computer programming skills are essential for the PhD research.
From 1st October to 31st March the astronomer will spend three evenings per week (15.5 hours per week) at the observatory. The rest of the time will be spent on PhD research. A salary of approximately £6,000 per year as astronomer will be combined with a PhD stipend of £9,000 per year.
More information on the work of the Space Technology Centre and the Mills Observatory can be found at www.spacetech.dundee.ac.uk and http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/mills/.
To apply for the post please send your CV to Steve Parkes (sparkes@computing.dundee.ac.uk) quoting “PhD Astronomer 639/09” as the subject. Also please obtain, complete and return an application form for vacancy 639/09. Blank application forms can be obtained from http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/personnel/howtoapply/ . Completed forms should be returned by email to jobsapps@dundeecity.gov.uk or posted to:
Assistant Chief Executive (Management)
Dundee City Council
8 City Square (First Floor)
Dundee
DD1 3BG
The closing date for application is 2nd November 2009.