AURA
Gemini Director
AURA, Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii, United States,
The International Gemini Observatory is one of the world’s largest and most productive ground-based astronomical observatories. Gemini’s twin 8.1-meter optical/IR telescopes provide access to both hemispheres from two of the world’s best astronomical sites, Maunakea, Hawai ‘i and Cerro Pachón, Chile. The telescopes host a suite of imaging and spectroscopic instruments, covering wavelengths between 0.4 and 5 microns, along with adaptive optics capabilities.The International Gemini Observatory is funded by an international partnership including the United States, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and the Republic of Korea, and is operated by the National Science Foundation’s National Optical and Infrared Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), under the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).Gemini seeks to drive investigator-led breakthrough discoveries spanning from the closest exoplanets to the most distant quasars, while reaching its goal of becoming the premier large-aperture time domain astronomy follow-up facility in the era of Rubin Observatory, Roman Space Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Gemini is meeting this challenge through a major revitalization of its instrumentation suite, AO facilities, and user support infrastructure, utilizing the new capabilities offered by NOIRLab’s infrastructure in engineering, data science, communications, and outreach.Gemini is working to implement Community Based Astronomy in Hawaii and Chile, following the recommendations of the 2020 Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Gemini leadership and staff engage with local communities near the observatories.Gemini instrumentation is undergoing a major period of renewal, with multiple new and upgraded instruments arriving at Gemini in the 2020s, including the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST), IGRINS-2, SCORPIO, the Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS), and upgrades to Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). There is an ongoing program of improvements for the Gemini-South Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics system (GeMS) and the development of a new flexible Gemini-North Adaptive Optics (GNAO) system to operate in combination with GIRMOS.The central mission of the Observatory is to provide access to large telescopes equipped with high-quality instrumentation so that scientists in the partner user communities can carry out forefront research in optical/infrared astronomy at maximum effectiveness. The Observatory works in partnership with its community to maintain excellence and cost-effectiveness in the facilities, instrumentation, and user support.International Gemini Observatory Director’s Role:
Ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Gemini telescopes and prepares for the future through strategic analysis and planning. The Director is responsible for the overall scientific productivity of Gemini in all aspects of the operation of the telescopes and for keeping Gemini at the forefront in science, technology, and instrumentation. In carrying out this role, the Gemini Director exercises strong scientific leadership and promotes the fulfillment of the Gemini mission.Essential Functions:
Keep the Gemini Board and NOIRLab Director informed and advise them of aspects or issues affecting the success of Gemini;Assemble a high quality, diverse, internationally recognized scientific and technical staff and allocate resources to ensure that Gemini remains a competitive and cutting-edge scientific facility;Develop and articulate a vision for the future of Gemini, act to maintain Gemini at the state of the art of science, technology, and instrumentation, and propose initiatives to build upon Gemini;Communicate early and work cooperatively with stakeholders including oversight, advisory, and user’s committees and with the national observatories of the partners in resolving issues and developing initiatives that may affect them;Motivate scientific and technical staff to remain at the forefront of science, including carrying out personal programs of scientific research in astronomy or astrophysics;Set financial, technical, and managerial strategy as required for the effective execution of Gemini subject to overall strategy set by the Gemini Board;Make financial commitments within limits set by the Gemini Board;Administer Gemini within broad guidelines established and reviewed from time to time by AURA, and within the budget approved by the Gemini Board;Provide leadership and direction of a management team that may include a Deputy Director, Chief Scientist, Associate Director of Engineering, and Associate Director of Development;Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within NOIRLab and the Gemini user community.Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
An ability to communicate with a wide variety of Gemini staff, Board members, oversight and advisory committee members, and users throughout the Gemini partnership is essential.Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.An aptitude for dealing with strategic and tactical problems and issues is necessary.Must be able to travel internationally extensively and work in a culturally diverse environment.Must be able to spend significant time at both Gemini sites.Must possess the motivation and ability to identify and implement new strategic directions for the Observatory in a team environment.Ph.D. in astronomy or closely related field.Knowledge of theoretical and observational approaches to exploring the origins and astrophysical properties of celestial objects and the Universe.Familiarity with spectroscopy, direct imaging, and ground-based and space-based observing.Demonstrated strategic thinking skills.Proficiency with astronomical software and data reduction techniques.Effective technical writing and public speaking communication skills.Advanced computer literacy.Ten or more years of experience as research scientist.Seven plus years’ experience working in a leadership position in an observatory, a national laboratory environment and/or an equivalent organization.Experience in personnel management and leadership skills.Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
Experience executing projects within US-federal uniform guidance and the National Science Foundations' Research Infrastructure guidelines is preferred.The physical demands described here are representative of those 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 work is mostly carried out in an office environment. Long periods of sitting may be required. This position requires significant travel to each of Gemini’s sites (Hawaii, Chile, Arizona), and international travel to engage with our partners. The ability to work at high altitude (14,000 ft) is preferred. This role may be based in Hilo, Hawaii (preferred location) or Tucson, Arizona. The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by January 19, 2024.Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, 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 employment@aura-astronomy.org. Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process).Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org.The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.
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Ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Gemini telescopes and prepares for the future through strategic analysis and planning. The Director is responsible for the overall scientific productivity of Gemini in all aspects of the operation of the telescopes and for keeping Gemini at the forefront in science, technology, and instrumentation. In carrying out this role, the Gemini Director exercises strong scientific leadership and promotes the fulfillment of the Gemini mission.Essential Functions:
Keep the Gemini Board and NOIRLab Director informed and advise them of aspects or issues affecting the success of Gemini;Assemble a high quality, diverse, internationally recognized scientific and technical staff and allocate resources to ensure that Gemini remains a competitive and cutting-edge scientific facility;Develop and articulate a vision for the future of Gemini, act to maintain Gemini at the state of the art of science, technology, and instrumentation, and propose initiatives to build upon Gemini;Communicate early and work cooperatively with stakeholders including oversight, advisory, and user’s committees and with the national observatories of the partners in resolving issues and developing initiatives that may affect them;Motivate scientific and technical staff to remain at the forefront of science, including carrying out personal programs of scientific research in astronomy or astrophysics;Set financial, technical, and managerial strategy as required for the effective execution of Gemini subject to overall strategy set by the Gemini Board;Make financial commitments within limits set by the Gemini Board;Administer Gemini within broad guidelines established and reviewed from time to time by AURA, and within the budget approved by the Gemini Board;Provide leadership and direction of a management team that may include a Deputy Director, Chief Scientist, Associate Director of Engineering, and Associate Director of Development;Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within NOIRLab and the Gemini user community.Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
An ability to communicate with a wide variety of Gemini staff, Board members, oversight and advisory committee members, and users throughout the Gemini partnership is essential.Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.An aptitude for dealing with strategic and tactical problems and issues is necessary.Must be able to travel internationally extensively and work in a culturally diverse environment.Must be able to spend significant time at both Gemini sites.Must possess the motivation and ability to identify and implement new strategic directions for the Observatory in a team environment.Ph.D. in astronomy or closely related field.Knowledge of theoretical and observational approaches to exploring the origins and astrophysical properties of celestial objects and the Universe.Familiarity with spectroscopy, direct imaging, and ground-based and space-based observing.Demonstrated strategic thinking skills.Proficiency with astronomical software and data reduction techniques.Effective technical writing and public speaking communication skills.Advanced computer literacy.Ten or more years of experience as research scientist.Seven plus years’ experience working in a leadership position in an observatory, a national laboratory environment and/or an equivalent organization.Experience in personnel management and leadership skills.Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
Experience executing projects within US-federal uniform guidance and the National Science Foundations' Research Infrastructure guidelines is preferred.The physical demands described here are representative of those 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 work is mostly carried out in an office environment. Long periods of sitting may be required. This position requires significant travel to each of Gemini’s sites (Hawaii, Chile, Arizona), and international travel to engage with our partners. The ability to work at high altitude (14,000 ft) is preferred. This role may be based in Hilo, Hawaii (preferred location) or Tucson, Arizona. The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by January 19, 2024.Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, 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 employment@aura-astronomy.org. Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process).Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org.The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.
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