The United Kingdom Astronomy Technology Centre

Adaptive Optics Systems Engineer / Scientist (Ref No. 01/09)

Information To Candidates

About The UK ATC

The UK ATC is an establishment of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and is the national centre for the design and production of world-leading astronomical telescopes, instruments and systems. We are an organisation working at the cutting-edge of technology for this exciting application. Major projects at the UK ATC include the delivery of systems to the European Southern Observatory (ESO) VLT; the Gemini Telescopes Project (in Hawaii and Chile); the UK Infrared Telescope (Hawaii); the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (Hawaii), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) being constructed in Chile by a World-Wide Consortium. Following the successful delivery of VISTA (a 4.2m telescope for ESO in Chile) we are also playing a leading role in the design and development of systems and new technologies for the ESO-led European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). Our technology is also used in a wide variety of non-astronomy applications, which is an increasing fraction of our portfolio.

We are a science driven professional engineering organisation employing state-of-the-art technology in the fields of cryogenics, mechanical engineering, optics, computing and electronic engineering. The instruments produced are one-offs and must be facility class, easy to use and highly reliable in difficult environments.

Our Mission Is:

To support the mission and strategic aims of STFC and to help keep the UK at the forefront of world astronomy by providing a UK focus for the design, production and promotion of state of the art astronomical technology.

Our Aim Is:

To be world-leading, to deliver projects to time and cost and support the wider UK astronomical community in their instrumentation activities.

Our Operating Principles Are:

• The organisation should be efficient and cost effective
• Work carried out by the UK ATC should be both science driven and project based
• There should be a range of projects from fast track to facility class
• To be involved only in projects where it adds real value to the UK astronomy programme
• Projects will be collaborations where this is both cost effective and beneficial to all parties
• To advise and provide consultancy to UK university groups in order to maximise the scientific return of the STFC programme
• To engage fully in STFC policy debate in order to ensure that the programme is optimised
• To engage in and influence STFCs long-term technology development programme
• To facilitate technology development in industry and universities to meet the needs of the current and future astronomy programme, and promote its exploitation in other research sectors and industry
• That maintenance work and astronomical support for telescopes should as far as possible be based at the observatory site

About Us As An Employer

We are a progressive employer, offering staff an excellent range of benefits, including:

• guaranteed pay progression to satisfactory performers
• excellent maternity leave provision
• strong commitment to staff development
• generous holiday entitlement
• flexible working arrangements
• interest-free car loan scheme
• excellent pension choices
• interest free travel season tickets
• support with childcare
• relocation expenses scheme
• healthcare package
• subsidised staff restaurant
• paid paternity leave
• physiotherapy service

See Conditions of Service below for fuller details.

About The Group

The successful candidate will be based at the UK ATC in either the applied optics, project science or systems engineering groups, depending on their main fields of experience.

About The Job

Duties

The main duties of the post will involve:

• Leading AO-related aspects of systems analysis and modelling for future generation UK ATC instrument projects and design studies.
• Running and adapting relevant astronomical AO models to predict system performance, including interfacing with integrated system models.
• Participating as AO expert, particularly on systems aspects, in one or more major projects (e.g. a multi-IFU multi-AO instrument for extremely large telescopes, or development of large aperture deformable mirrors for high power laser systems). This is likely to include contributing to the initial concept development, design, analysis, and the integration, testing and commissioning phases.
• Maintaining awareness of astronomical AO developments and relevant industrial applications.
• Building up and maintaining an overview of AO activities across STFC, with particular emphasis on technology development. The successful applicant will be expected to take a leading role in technology development activities.
• Looking for opportunities for application of AO in non-astronomy areas and, in collaboration with other research groups and industrial partners, enable cross-discipline developments and applications.

The main focus of the job will be dependant on the background and experience of the successful candidate.

Knowledge & Experience

You should have a degree or equivalent in a science based subject, most likely in a physical science or engineering.

Knowledge and experience in the following is essential:

• Expert knowledge and experience of adaptive optics systems
• Sound knowledge of the principles and methods of the systems engineering approach
• Ability to use AO models/simulations for astronomy
• Excellent communication skills and organisational abilities
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Ability to work well within a multifunctional team

Knowledge and experience in the following is desirable:

• PhD or equivalent post-graduate experience in AO-related studies or projects
• Experience with use of AO models/simulations for astronomy
• Experience working with widespread development teams
• Basic knowledge of the principles and methods of project management
• Knowledge of modelling languages and software development tools
• Experience (not necessarily at expert level) with an optical design tool such as Zemax and/or systems engineering tools such as DOORS or SysML would be advantageous
• Experience of working in a business development environment and/or involvement in research grant applications would be an advantage

Although the post is based at Edinburgh some work may be necessary at a telescope site overseas. Passing a high altitude medical would be necessary at that stage. There may also be periods of work based at other STFC sites in the UK.

Conditions Of Service

Pay

There are 7 pay bands and this appointment will be made within Pay Band E, currently min £33,780 to max £37,534. Appointment is normally made subject to qualifications and experience. There is progression along a spinal scale subject to annual review.

Hours

Normally 8.30am - 5.00pm, Monday - Friday, with one hour daily for lunch. An informal flexi-time arrangement is enjoyed by many members of staff.

Annual Leave

25 days leave on appointment, rising to 30 days after five years service, plus 10½ days Public and Privilege holidays per year. In addition, the site closes between Christmas and New Year and this amounts to a further three days leave.

Occupational Sick Pay*

We operate a generous sick pay scheme.

Probation

The appointment will be probationary for a period of six months. Subject to satisfactory service, the appointment will be confirmed at the end of the probationary period.

Employee Benefits

Pension Scheme*

As soon as you start your new job, you are eligible to join the Research Councils’ pension arrangements. We offer you a choice of two types of pension:

• Nuvos - an occupational pension scheme that currently has 3.5% member contribution rate. As your employer we meet the rest of the cost of the scheme.
• Partnership - a stakeholder pension with a contribution from ourselves. How much we pay is based on your age, and we pay this regardless of whether you choose to contribute anything. You do not have to contribute but, if you do, we will also match your contributions up to 3% of your pensionable earnings. These contributions are in addition to the age-related contribution mentioned above.

Membership of either of the above is not compulsory. You may opt out and be covered instead by an alternative personal pension scheme or the State Second Pension - S2P – which is the new name for the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS).

Interest Free Car Loan Scheme*

The scheme enables staff to apply for an interest free loan to replace an older motor vehicle with a newer one. This is currently up to a maximum of £5,000.

Bike to Work Scheme

For those who wish to purchase a bicycle to travel to and from work, an advance of salary is available.

Healthcare Package*

The package gives staff access to regular health screening and a healthcare plan.

Employee Care Programme*

Under this programme, staff have the benefit of immediate access to a professional and completely confidential counselling and legal advisory service.

Physiotherapy Service*

Access to a wide range of treatments as provided by a chartered or state registered physiotherapist.

Career Development

We take the subject of career development seriously. The performance of every member of staff is reviewed annually. Training is provided where appropriate, and in some cases support for continuing education is given.

Relocation Expenses

Where relocation is deemed necessary, some assistance with specific relocation expenses will be available. Full details will be given to the successful candidate on request.

Family Responsibilities

Arrangements to help staff who wish to combine raising a family with a career in the UK ATC include consideration of opportunities for part-time work, flexible working hours and possibilities of unpaid leave and career breaks. These arrangements are mostly at the UK ATC’s discretion and are subject to the needs of the work at any particular time. Additionally, there are, of course, rights to maternity/paternity/adoption leave for staff covered by such provisions.

Childcare

Subject to funding being available, assistance towards full-time childcare expenses may be available up to 50% of the weekly fee (or fees if more than one child is involved) or £50 per week, whichever is lower. Part week care will be supported on a pro rata basis (i.e. care for 1 day per week will attract 50% of the actual cost or £10, whichever is less). The organisation also operates a Childcare Voucher scheme to help cover the costs of childcare.

Advances for Season Ticket Purchase

If you require help to purchase a quarterly or longer season ticket to travel between home and office, the UK ATC can grant you an advance which will normally be recovered within the life of the season ticket. This scheme is open to any employee, except those on a short-term temporary appointment.

Staff Restaurant

We have a subsidised restaurant on site offering a wide range of hot and cold meals and snacks.

* Further details are available on request.

How To Apply And Selection Procedure

Application Form

We cannot accept CVs in lieu of application forms. We need information about all applicants to be presented in a consistent format, so please complete the form in full. Applicants who forward their forms electronically will be required to sign the form if invited for interview.

Completed application forms must be returned before the closing date of 16 October 2009 to atcrecruitment@roe.ac.uk or to the HR office at the address below.

References

It would be appreciated if you could provide email addresses for your referees where possible. All offers of appointment are subject to the receipt of references which the UK ATC deem to be satisfactory. If you are shortlisted, references may be taken up prior to interview unless you indicate otherwise.

Qualifications

It is UK ATC normal practice to verify academic qualifications with the awarding institute. All applicants invited for interview may be required to authorise permission for the UK ATC to contact academic institutions to verify any relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunities

The UK ATC promotes an equal opportunities policy and all applications are considered on merit, irrespective of personal characteristics and circumstances.

Invitation to Interview

The candidates who appear most suitable will be shortlisted and invited to interview. We aim to give candidates two weeks notice of an interview date but this is not always possible and you may be invited at relatively short notice. It is anticipated that interviews for this post will be held in November 2009. As part of the selection process you may be required to undertake a work related exercise and details will be given to those shortlisted. Please bring evidence of your highest relevant qualifications with you to your interview.

If you have any queries about your application or the recruitment process in general, please contact us:

The UK ATC,
Royal Observatory,
Blackford Hill,
Edinburgh
EH9 3HJ.

Tel: 0131 668 8100.
Email: atcrecruitment@roe.ac.uk
Fax: 0131 668 8292.

To find out more about the UK ATC visit us at http://www.roe.ac.uk/ukatc/

You can download the application form in either Word, RTF or PDF format below:

Application Form (Word, 108KB)

Application Form (RTF, 366KB)

Application Form (PDF, 56KB)

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is committed to ensuring that its job applicants and staff have an equal opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability, qualifications and fitness for the work and that there is no discrimination against them on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, ethnic origin or disability. In order to help us to assess the effectiveness of this policy, and, if appropriate, identify areas where improvements are necessary, we ask that you complete the Equal Opportunities questionnaire and send it to atcrecruitment@roe.ac.uk together with your completed application form.

This questionnaire will be separated from your application form and the information kept in strict confidence. It will not form part of the selection process and will be used for the purposes of monitoring only.

You can download the equal opportunities questionnaire in either Word, RTF or PDF format below:

Equal Opportunities Questionnaire (Word, 36KB)

Equal Opportunities Questionnaire (RTF, 28KB)

Equal Opportunities Questionnaire (PDF, 20KB)

Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted.