Onsala Space Observatory recruits to meet exciting challenges ahead

The Swedish National Infrastructure for Radio astronomy at Onsala Space Observatory, which is part of Chalmers University of Technology, has recently entered two new agreements which lay the path towards an exciting future. The infrastructure has both shouldered the responsibility to represent Sweden in the international project that will construct and run the world’s largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), and entered a long-term commitment to the Swedish mapping agency (Lantmäteriet) to support the operation and development of geoscience operations with telescopes and other dedicated instrumentation at Råö, the observatory grounds about 40 km south of Göteborg. Simultaneously a new visitor centre is being constructed onsite and a major refurbishment of the work premises is planned.

To meet the new challenges Onsala Space Observatory is recruiting six new permanent employees who are attracted by the opportunity either to do exciting research in radio astronomy, or work with the technical development and support that radio astronomy (and related geoscience) relies upon. The work will take place either at the observatory or at Chalmers campus Johanneberg, where the proximity to Chalmers state-of-the-art Nanofabrication Laboratory is of utmost importance for the development and construction of sensitive receivers for radio astronomy.

We are seeking you who can fill one of the following permanent roles with us; (click on each title to find full information, including requirements and application forms):

1) Professor in Quantum Electronics for Radio Astronomy –  The Group for Advanced Receiver Development (GARD) is the main technology research driver within OSO for the delivery of state-of-the-art instrumentation to international radio telescope projects. We look for a highly accomplished researcher to lead GARD’s future development of new quantum electronic devices for radio astronomy and to contribute to the delivery of state-of-the-art radio astronomy instrumentation systems.

2) Senior Research Engineer - Digital Signal Processing - We look for a collaborative scientist/engineer to develop digital receiver technology for radio astronomy. This includes having the responsibility to coordinate the technical aspects of the delivery of digitizers to the SKA1-mid telescope in South Africa in collaboration with Swedish industrial partners - and also to help develop next generation digitizers for the SKA and other radio astronomy projects.

3) Senior Researcher / Researcher in Data Intensive Radio Astronomy – We look for an independent radioastronomer experienced in exploiting large data sets from one of the SKA precursor/pathfinder telescopes to both conduct their own astrophysics research in data intensive radio astronomy and to help lead the establishment and growth of the Swedish SKA Regional (Data) Centre (SRC) node.

4) Senior Research Engineer - Digital Infrastructure Development – Swedish SKA Regional Centre node – We look for a proactive computer developer experienced in implementing new digital infrastructure for processing big scientific data sets on HPC computer systems. This person will hold a key role in establishing the new Swedish SKA Regional (Data) Centre (SRC) node.

5) Research Engineer in computing/electronics – We look for a resourceful and service-minded research engineer for our Technical Support Group (TSG) who is interested in developing, building and supporting world-leading research instrumentation and software. 

6) Research Engineer/workshop mechanic – We look for a quality- and service-minded colleague for our TSG who is eager to use their experience and problem solving skills to develop and maintain high-quality mechanical solutions for the wide range of telescopes and research equipment at the observatory.

The application deadline for all the positions above is 21 March 2022.
Please find contact informtion in each advert.