Description
AURA is seeking a Director for the International Gemini Observatory to lead a diverse team of scientists, engineers and other professionals to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics. Gemini's twin 8.1-meter optical/IR telescopes provide full-sky access from two of the world's best astronomical sites, Maunakea, Hawai'i and Cerro Pachón, Chile.
The Gemini Observatory is funded by an international partnership including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. Gemini is operated on behalf of its partners by the US National Science Foundation's National Optical and Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), under a cooperative agreement with the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). NOIRLab provides a deep bench of engineering and technical talent to support Gemini operations and development, alongside other telescopes in the NOIRLab portfolio. The Gemini Director is a key member of the NOIRLab leadership team and has a strong voice in strategic planning across all of NOIRLab.
Gemini is working to implement Community Based Astronomy in Hawaii and Chile, following the recommendations of the 2020 Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The Gemini Director will be an agent for change in how astronomy is conducted in Hawaii.
A revitalized suite of instruments, adaptive optics, telescope controls and user support infrastructure will position Gemini to be the premier large-aperture follow-up facility for time domain astronomy in the era of the Rubin Observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. First light at Rubin is fast approaching, to be followed by the launch of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time and its transient alert steam. Gemini is ideally positioned to amplify the power of Rubin.
The International Gemini Observatory
The International Gemini Observatory seeks a Director to lead the observatory in the 2020s and beyond. Gemini is undergoing an evolution that will transform its suite of instrumentation and adaptive optics capabilities. We are seeking an individual with experience in leading international teams and managing scientific laboratories. We have a strong preference for the Director to be based on the island of Hawai'i.
Gemini drives breakthrough discoveries across a broad range of astrophysics, exoplanet studies and solar system science. A revitalized suite of instruments, telescope controls and user support infrastructure will position Gemini to be the premier large-aperture follow-up facility for time domain astronomy in the era of the Rubin Observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Gemini instrumentation is undergoing a major period of renewal, with multiple new and upgraded instruments arriving at Gemini in the 2020s. These include the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST), the IGRINS-2 infrared spectrograph, the SCORPIO multi-wavelength instrument, the Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS), and upgrades to Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). There is an on-going program of improvements for the Gemini-South Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics system (GeMS) and the development of a new flexible Gemini-North Adaptive Optics (GNAO) system to operate in combination with GIRMOS. Finally, a call for the next-generation facility instrument is expected to be issued in the next few years. For more information about Gemini's current and future instrumentation, see www.gemini.edu/instrumentation .
The central mission of the Observatory is to provide access to large telescopes equipped with high-quality instrumentation for scientists in the partner communities to carry out forefront research in astrophysics.
Major current objectives of the Observatory include:
Delivery of high-quality instruments that support the priorities of our community.
Queue based operations with high-level quality control and science ready data products.
Remote telescope operations.
Strong interfaces with the partner community.
Implementation of Community Based Astronomy in Hawaii
International Gemini Observatory Director's Role
The Director is the overall leader of the Gemini Observatory. The Director is responsible for the operation of the observatory, for the overall scientific productivity of Gemini, and for keeping Gemini at the forefront in science, technology, and instrumentation. The Director is accountable to the Gemini Board for the overall operation of Gemini and for settings the strategic direction for the observatory. The Gemini Director reports to the NOIRLab Director. The NOIRLab Director will delegate sufficient authority to the Gemini Director for the execution of their duties. The Director is selected through an open international search and is appointed by NOIRLab/AURA subject to approval by the Gemini Board.
The Director works with the Gemini Board, advisory bodies, and the user community to develop and update the Gemini Scientific Strategic Plan. In carrying out this role, the Gemini Director exercises strong scientific leadership and promotes the fulfillment of the Gemini mission.
The Director maintains effective communications between Gemini and the scientific communities in the partner countries, maintains effective communications with Gemini related science and user advisory bodies, ensures that the management of Gemini is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the partners, and establishes and maintains good working relationships with the host organizations in Hawaii and Chile.
Essential Functions
Lead a diverse scientific, technical and support team to operate the observatory.
Develop and articulate a vision for the future of Gemini, act to maintain Gemini at the state of the art of science, technology, and instrumentation, and propose initiatives to build upon Gemini.
Work with stakeholders including oversight, advisory, and user's committees to ensure that Gemini meets the user community's needs.
Ensure that the scientific and technical staff remain at the forefront.
Set financial, technical, and managerial strategy for the effective operation of Gemini subject to overall strategy as set by the Gemini Board.
Manage the Gemini Observatory within the budget approved by the Gemini Board.
Provide leadership and direction of a management team that may include a Deputy Director, Chief Scientist, and Associate Director of Development.
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within NOIRLab and the Gemini user community.
Maintain strong relationships with the host organizations in Hawaii and Chile.
Other Functions
Prepare annual operating plans and budgets subject to the overall policy and strategic guidance of the Gemini Board.
Prepare regular reports on the state of Gemini.
Participate in meetings of the Gemini Board providing such input as may be required or necessary to manage Gemini.
Participate in meetings of appropriate management oversight and advisory committees.
Maintain liaison with the Gemini Offices of the partner countries, as appropriate.
Maintain a safe and effective work environment.
Participate in a program of individual research as time permits.
Other duties as assigned.
The Gemini Board participates in the evaluation of the Gemini Director. NOIRLab evaluates the Gemini Director's performance against the job description approved by the Gemini Board and seeks the Gemini Board's input in this evaluation. The Director communicates freely and directly with the Gemini Board and other entities in Gemini.
Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
Ph.D. in astronomy or closely related field or comparable observatory experience.
Seven or more years of experience working in a leadership position in an observatory, a scientific laboratory, or a similar organization.
A distinguished record of scientific research.
Ability to think strategically.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to travel internationally and work in culturally diverse environments.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences.
Aptitude for resolving strategic and tactical challenges.
The ability to identify and implement new strategic directions for the Observatory in a team environment.
Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
Familiarity with US federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance or Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Conversational level Spanish.
Physical Demands:
The ability to work at high altitude (14,000 ft) is preferred.
Salary Range: $230,000 - $295,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, experience and job location.
AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/benefits-by-location/
The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by September 15, 2024.
Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname.
Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org .
Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process).
Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation (https://www.nsf.gov/) and NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/) . AURA's role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity (https://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity/) throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.
As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.
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The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
