Observatory Manager (Senior Research Scientist, Boston University)

Applications are invited for a position to manage Boston University’s operation of the 1.83m Perkins Telescope on Anderson Mesa, outside Flagstaff, Arizona. The successful Observatory Manager applicant will be stationed in the Flagstaff, AZ area.

The main duties are to oversee the operation and maintenance of the Perkins telescope and to help maintain the Boston University instruments normally used on the telescope. Duties include updating and maintaining software for operating the telescope and instruments, providing logistics support to visiting Boston University researchers, and leading preventative maintenance and upgrades to the observatory computer, electrical, mechanical, and optical systems, including mirror cleaning and aluminizing. The successful applicant may also lead and/or be involved in scientific investigations and collaborations within and/or outside of Boston University. Desired qualifications include a graduate degree in astronomy, physics, or engineering, and at least 3 years of hands-on experience servicing, designing, and/or building modern instruments and/or in using or maintaining research-level astronomical observatories. Additional desired qualifications include a high degree of competence in the use of programming languages, and strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills.

Members of Boston University’s Astronomy Department, through the Institute for Astrophysical Research (IAR) have built two instruments for the Perkins telescope: PRISM, which provides optical imaging, polarimetry, and spectroscopy; and Mimir, which provides near-infrared imaging, polarimetry, and spectroscopy. A third instrument, RIPS, built by members of Boston University’s Center for Space Physics (CSP), has begun occasional use on the Perkins telescope. Boston University is also a partner in the 4.3m Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT).  

Candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names of three people who can provide letters of reference on behalf of the candidate via https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/23093. Questions may be directed to Erin Reynolds, ereynold@bu.edu. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will commence as soon as possible after 1 December 2022.

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.