Observing Specialists - Early | Mid | Senior Career Stages

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory seeks Observing Specialists at all career stages. Rubin Observatory is now in the exciting phase of integration and commissioning and will transition to operations in 2025 to carry out the planned 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Applications for Observing Specialists will be reviewed periodically and qualified candidates will be contacted in the event of openings.

The Observing Specialist group is a dynamic 15-member team. Observing Specialists work with a variety of systems needed to commission and operate the Observatory including the 8.4-m Simonyi primary survey telescope the 1.2-m Auxiliary Telescope that supports atmospheric calibration and initial system commissioning the ComCam the commissioning camera the LSSTCam the main survey science camera and a variety of control systems and software. Observing Specialists will develop intimate knowledge of the data and technology used in the LSST and work closely with team members across the project. Observing Specialists also contribute to the development and refinement of the Observatory and the data produced.

The Simonyi 8.4-m telescope implements an innovative wide-field design used to conduct an imaging survey of the southern sky repeatedly over a 10-year period. The data from the LSST will be unprecedented in scale and sensitivity to faint objects. The survey will enable a wide range of science from exploration of the time domain to dark matter and dark energy. Data from Rubin Observatory will fundamentally change how humanity perceives and understands the Universe in which we live. We are seeking qualified candidates from all career stages:

• An early-stage career position requires 2 to 5 years of experience.
• A mid-stage career position requires 6 to 10 years of post-graduate experience.
• A senior-stage career position requires 11 or more years of post-graduate experience.

Observing Specialists report to the Observing Specialist Manager. This position is based in Chile with operations in La Serena and at Cerro Pachon.

Once the Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins operations it will be part of NSFs NOIRLab the preeminent US national center for ground-based nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization providing services across a range of programs: Gemini Rubin MSO (CTIO and KPNO) and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona Chile and Hawaii.

Essential Functions:

Support nighttime commissioning and operations by:

• Developing and documenting procedures associated with the operations of the main Rubin Observatory Simonyi Survey Telescope and its Auxiliary Telescope (AuxTel) and associated subsystems.
• Safely operating the Auxiliary and/or the Simonyi telescopes at night.
• Becoming familiar with the Simonyi and Auxiliary Telescopes operation and monitoring software and their respective GUIs.
• Monitoring summit weather conditions and executing predetermined actions when conditions are adverse for operations.
• Monitoring Simonyi and Auxiliary Telescopes subsystems health through subsystems GUIs.
• Basic software troubleshooting and debugging becoming adept with extracting and analyzing information from the Observatorys Engineering Facility Database to understand the sources of issues.
• Performing basic evaluations of delivered image and spectra quality.
• Obtaining and analyzing calibration data with both telescopes (e.g. flat fielding).
• Producing nightly observing reports that include activity log entries and automated technical assessments derived from the Engineering and Facility Database and fault reporting.

Supporting daytime commissioning and operations by:

• Participating in daytime software test activities.
• Acquiring basic knowledge of all the subsystems to understand and support their functions and operation.
• Participating in the development review and refinement of the Simonyi and Auxiliary Telescopes operation procedures.
• Providing feedback to optimize the telescopes operations and monitoring software.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities

• Bachelors degree in Physics Astronomy Computer Science Engineering or a closely related field.
• Qualifying experience can be drawn from one or more of the following areas:
  • Operation of a major ground-based telescope or space observatory.
  • Optical and/or infrared observing techniques.
  • Data reduction and analysis of optical and/or infrared ground-based data.
  • Experience with Astronomical/Physics instruments.
• Fluency in English with a preference for Spanish language competency as well.
• Knowledge or experience with writing bug or fault reports and issue tracking using tools such as Jira or equivalent.
• Knowledge of a high-level software scripting knowledge such as Python or equivalent.
• Must have the ability to work either at day or night on the Cerro Pachn summit at 2650 meters above sea level (approx. 8700 feet).
• Willingness to stay at the summit for several days/nights on end (food and lodging provided)
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays as needed. Schedule is subject to changes and varies by person within the group based on their responsibilities.
• Willingness to accept responsibility for the safety of people and equipment especially while working at night.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Reliability dependability and flexibility including excellent attendance and commitment to work scheduled shifts.
• Ability to work productively and harmoniously in a multinational team.
• A self-learner self-starter and above-average initiative.
• Ability to communicate clearly and reach decisions quickly when issues of safety of personnel or equipment are apparent.
• Must have a valid Drivers License; clean driving record; ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Physical Requirements:

There are basic physical requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is required to work at high elevation summit sites up to 2650 meters above sea level carrying out physical activities such as going up and down stairs as well as occasionally working in adverse weather conditions. This position also requires passing a medical examination post Offer and if medically necessary at specified intervals while employed.

Salaries for positions hired in Chile meet Chile national market rates and internal scales for AURA.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off health and welfare benefits and retirement plan contributions competitive salary commensurate with experience and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at to Apply:

We are excited to offer multiple upcoming opportunities and will review applications on an ongoing basis. By submitting your resume now youll be considered for future opportunities as they arise.

• Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume in English 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.
• Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance at