Assistant Scientist

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community.

The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

In recent years, the rapid expansion of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems for broadband internet and cellular services has significantly increased radio frequency interference (RFI) exposure at remote radio astronomy sites. In response, NRAO and the broader radio astronomy community — with support from the NSF — have spearheaded collaborative efforts with commercial NGSO operators to develop coordination techniques that help mitigating the impact of satellite downlink signals on scientific observations.

A key outcome of these efforts is the Operational Data Sharing (ODS) system, an automated machine-to-machine (M2M) data exchange framework that reports upcoming telescope observation schedules to a central database, from which NGSO operators can query real-time telescope parameters via a secure Application Programming Interface (API).

The NRAO Spectrum Management Department (SMD) is seeking an Assistant Scientist to join the ODS project team. As an NRAO scientific staff member, the appointee will dedicate 75% of their time to functional work within the ODS development team, with the remaining 25% available for independent research. The primary responsibility of this position is to support coordinated testing and evaluation of the ODS system across NRAO sites, other U.S. radio astronomy observatories, and spectrum management groups at relevant federal agencies as more users are adopting the ODS system.

For more information on the ODS system, please visit: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..html

This is a three-year appointment with the possibility of renewal, subject to observatory needs, funding availability, and mutual agreement.

The position is based preferably at the NRAO headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia. Telework or a remote options may be available for consideration to a highly qualified candidate.

Domestic travel between NRAO sites (in New Mexico and West Virginia) and conferences is expected.

• Capture and maintain top level project requirements
• Work with project leadership to develop and execute new software features
• Participate development activities with the ODS software team
• Support testing and analysis activities for ODS evaluation for different stakeholders, including scheduling telescope test time and developing python analysis scripts.

• Communicate requirements and coordinate testing with internal and external ODS stakeholders
• Prepare and review documentation (internal- or public-facing), e.g., user guides, online documentation, press releases, etc.
• Contribute or lead technical writing efforts, e.g., technical memos, journal publications, FCC filing comments, etc.
• Support the broad-impact efforts within SMD and NRAO in general, including summer student mentoring, public outreach, etc.

• Contribute to and support broader NRAO spectrum management activities within the department and the observatory
• Maintain awareness of relevant technology developments and spectrum policies
• Maintain an active independent research program,…