Unleash Your Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institution, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you become an integral part of our mission to become a university for the future. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck.

The Opportunity

The Arecibo Observatory (AO) in Puerto Rico is famous for its outstanding research in radio astronomy, solar-system studies, and space and atmospheric sciences.  Applications are invited for two full-time, 12-month, non-tenure earning observatory scientist positions at AO in observational radio astronomy. We are looking for candidates with experience in single-dish radio astronomy (research areas such as spectral lines, pulsars, heliophysics, cosmology) and/or very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI; including geodetic and astrometric studies using VLBI techniques.) The selected applicants will be expected to enable the Arecibo user community to obtain the best possible scientific results from the Arecibo data archive and the 12-m radio telescope at Arecibo, as well as pursue their own cutting-edge research programs. The development of novel observational techniques and the commissioning of new observing equipment are of importance. Overall, these positions are expected to be 75% service and 25% independent research. The selected candidates will be encouraged to apply for grant funding.

The incumbents are expected to undertake the following tasks:

* Lead science observations, and to shape short- and long-term strategic radio-astronomy plans for the site.

* Support and develop radio-astronomy observations and Arecibo data archive usage, including interacting with both outside users and other observatory staff, in particular the telescope scheduler and the electronics and IT departments.

* Contribute to general observatory service and carry out independent research programs aligned with the interests of the Observatory.

* Interact with scientists and students at the UCF main campus, UMET, and UPR.

* Mentoring of undergraduate students participating through REU and other programs.

* Duties may involve mentoring observatory postdoctoral staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

A doctoral degree from an accredited institution in Physics or Engineering, including Astronomy, Space Physics, Planetary Science, or a related subject, or the highest degree appropriate in the field of specialization with a demonstrated record of academic research achievement, or professional qualifications in the field of specialization above those which would be equivalent to the highest degree, plus at least 5 years of appropriate experience.

Fluency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Qualifications:

Some priority will be given to experience in the following areas: VLBI, single-dish observational studies, and experience in mentoring and supporting undergraduate training programs. Technical knowledge of radio astronomy and/or VLBI observing, plus hands-on experience at observing facilities would be a plus.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/ .  In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to: 

Attention To: Dr. D. Anish Roshi

Subject: Faculty Position

Email: aroshi@naic.edu

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

•    This position is funded by contracts and grants and is contingent upon available funding.
•    Work location is Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled ’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando area attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.

And more…For more benefits information, go to ‘Prospective Employees’ on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/ )

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger , and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions.

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Type of Appointment

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at  http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.