Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director for Research Support

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Hiring Department:

McDonald Observatory

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas (UT) McDonald Observatory, a major astronomical research observatory, seeks highly qualified and strongly motivated applicants for the position of Assistant Director for Research Support of the McDonald Observatory. The Observatory consists of three optical telescopes (2.7m, 2.1m, and 0.8m) and several tenant telescopes. The Observatory also hosts and operates the 10m Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). These telescopes feature a wide range of state-of-the-art instrumentation for imaging and spectroscopy in the optical and infrared. The qualified applicant will lead the interface with the members of the UT Astronomy Program and others in the application for, evaluation of, and implementation of proposals for observing time at McDonald Observatory, including HET and Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCO).

This successful applicant will be a strong advocate for the scientific use of the McDonald Observatory, lead the McDonald Observatory Time Allocation Committee (TAC), schedule the classical observing time on the telescopes, report to the Director, and is a senior management team member to Director. This position will have time to direct an independent research project and become an active user of the McDonald Observatory telescopes.

This position is at the University of Texas at Austin campus. It will require occasional travel to the McDonald Observatory, located 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles from the UT Austin campus).

Purpose

Oversees the process of advertising observing opportunities and soliciting proposals for the facilities of McDonald Observatory and partner organizations, assigns telescope time in accordance with the recommendations of the Telescope Allocation Committee, serves as the Science Liaison with the Observatory in West Texas, and coordinates the selection process for Postdoctoral fellows. Serves as a member of the McDonald Observatory Management Team

Responsibilities

• Advises the Director on astronomical issues, telescopes, instruments, and needed improvements for research support. Manages the McDonald Observatory Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC), schedules the Mount Locke telescopes, and manages UT Austin’s allocation of HET observing time. Prepares annual telescope usage and McDonald Observatory research publication reports. Resolves telescope scheduling issues.

• Serves as an advocate for members of the UT Astronomy Program carrying out research with the McDonald Observatory telescopes and instruments, including the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET), the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), and eventually MONET and GMT. Offers encouragement and consultation to faculty, researchers, postdocs, and graduate students in using the Observatory. Organizes training opportunities for new observing capabilities.

• Directs an independent research project and becomes an active user of the McDonald Observatory telescopes.

• Coordinates the selection of the Harlan J. Smith McDonald Observatory Postdoctoral fellows and supervises those postdocs during their tenure. Supervises the research affiliates.

• Assists the Director at meetings as requested. Acts on the Director’s behalf, as required.

• Resolves queries received by the Director and his staff and assists with preparing various reports. Assists the Director in tasks as requested.

• Maintains the Observatory website.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in astronomy or a closely related field. Five years of experience in observatory operations and/or astronomical research environment.

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to be adaptable, work independently, and work collaboratively.

• Experience in managing people and projects, and as an integral project team member.

• Demonstrable good judgment.

• Knowledge of astronomy research and observatory operational best practices.

• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in supporting research programs of the scientific community in an optical/IR observatory environment.

• Demonstrated ability to achieve goals in accordance with the mission of the observatory.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Salary

Open

Working Conditions

• Working at a computer, including repetitive keyboard use at a workstation.

• May work in all weather conditions

• Use of manual dexterity

• Climbing of stairs and ladders

• Lifting and moving

• McDonald Observatory is located approximately 6800 feet above sea level. Environmental conditions can be unpredictable, and temperatures can range from -10˚F and +95˚F. Inclement winter weather can be expected, which requires being comfortable driving in wintry conditions on mountain grades.

Work Shift

• Generally, M-F, 8 am – 5 pm

• Occasional travel required to McDonald Observatory, 16 miles from Fort Davis, Texas (440 miles away from the UT Austin campus)

Required Materials

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research and Observatory Service Interests

• Resume/CV

• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin 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.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.