ARC Scientist

ARC Scientist

ESO - European Southern Observatory

Garching, Germany

The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.

For its ALMA Regional Centre at its Headquarters ESO is advertising the position of ARC Scientist.

The ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) department at ESO provides the interface between the European ALMA Users Community and the ALMA observatory in Chile. In coordination with the ARCs in the other ALMA partner regions, the ARC at ESO promotes and provides support of the highest standards to the ALMA user community and to ALMA observatory global operations. The ESO ARC provides important services for the development and operation of ALMA, including software development and testing, Call for Proposals and observation preparations, participation in observing shifts at the ALMA observatory, delivery of quality-assured data products for principal investigators and archive users, and optimisation of capabilities. ALMA is currently undergoing an ambitious upgrade - the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) - and the ARC is heavily involved in the planning, investigations, and preparatory activities required for the transition to WSU operations.

The ARC at ESO is looking for a scientist to help with core ARC duties, particularly the preparation of observations, as well as tasks leading to the optimization of science operations. These core duties are carried out in coordination with colleagues at the ESO ARC, the European ARC network, and the other ALMA partners.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Play a key role in the preparation of ALMA observations; this task includes, but is not limited to, preparing Scheduling Blocks (SBs) for approved ALMA observations, including those for modes that require extra considerations such as Total Power, Full Polarization, Solar, Target of Opportunity and time constrained observations;
• Contribute to the optimisation of the observation preparation process;
• Perform general ARC duties, including answering Helpdesk tickets, contributing to testing of tools and playing a proactive role in the improvement of user documentation;
• Undertake Astronomer-on-Duty shifts in Chile;
• Constructively work together with other ARC staff and ALMA operations staff around the globe;
• Conduct astronomical research for up to 20% of the time;
• The tasks are not limited to the above and a flexible approach and willingness and capability to adapt is required.

Reports to:

The post holder reports to the Head of the ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) Department. The ARC is a department of currently 13 highly skilled and motivated staff and is part of the ESO ALMA Support Centre (EASC) division.

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience

• Practical experience with astronomical observations, not necessarily radio interferometry;
• Excellent cross-disciplinary communication skills, both oral and written;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team, have an eagerness to contribute to team performance, and a positive approach toward building links across teams in an international multi-cultural environment;
• Good critical thinking and problem-solving skills, demonstrated by a pro-active approach to contribute ideas for improvement and future developments;
• Flexibility in adapting to changes of requirements and priorities as well as of assignments;
• Good time management and prioritisation skills;
• Open and friendly attitude to interact with a variety of users.

Desirable Competences and Experience

• Working knowledge of radio interferometric astronomical observations, including common calibration steps.

Qualifications:

Essential educational level: PhD in Astronomy, Physics or equivalent.

Language skills:

Excellent working knowledge of English.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary Structure

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience. Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/.

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is initially for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations and the ESO Astronomy Charter. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station: Garching near Munich, Germany with occasional duty trips to ESO/ALMA sites in Chile.
Career Path: V

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org and https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/home/ for further details.

Apply online. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter, CV containing a publication list and a research statement. You should also provide the names and contact details of three referees familiar with your work and willing to provide a reference letter. Referees will be automatically invited to submit their letter, however, applicants are strongly advised to trigger these invitations (using the web application form) well in advance of the application deadline.

Deadline for applications is 25 March 2026.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values:

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO values are

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity:

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.

Nationality:

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.