The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) is seeking exceptionally well-qualified applicants for the position of Radio Astronomy Department Head at the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.  Applicants with extensive research experience in any field of astronomy that can be effectively pursued with the Arecibo telescope will be considered.  This is an appropriate position for a mid-career person to develop further his/her leadership skills and to develop experience in the management of scientific research. 

The Radio Astronomy Department at the Arecibo Observatory includes a staff of 15 researchers, postdocs and long-term visiting scientists.  At the Arecibo Observatory, the NAIC staff scientists work in a team environment to advise visiting scientists on all aspects of their observing programs, and to implement improvements to the Observatory instruments, observing techniques and signal processing facilities.  Working with the staff and the user community, the department head formulates the scientific vision for development of the Observatory astronomy program, engages the scientific community in establishing priorities for new ventures, and seeks to realize that vision by forging partnerships with academic researchers.  The department head participates actively in U. S. and international scientific meetings and topical symposia promoting the scientific opportunities and achievements of the Arecibo Observatory.

The Department Head is expected to maintain a strong program of personal discretionary research; he/she is encouraged to spend 50% of the time on this endeavor.  All NAIC scientific staff members have competitive access to the 305-m diameter Arecibo telescope, its suite of receivers spanning the frequency range from 300 MHz to 10 GHz, and its backend signal processors capable of analyzing bandwidths up to 800 MHz.  A Mark 5 VLBI system is used for ultra-wideband interferometric observations with other large telescopes in the US and Europe.  The newly-operational, multibeam system, the Arecibo L-Band Feed Array (ALFA), and the community-based legacy surveys it supports, provides a wealth of unique opportunities for collaborative scientific engagement with the more than 100 students and scientists who are conducting ALFA survey observations at Arecibo.

The Radio Astronomy Department Head is an employee of Cornell University, the institution that manages NAIC on behalf of the National Science Foundation.  As such, he/she will be paid a salary competitive with other prestigious research universities, one that adequately recognizes the responsibilities of the position.  The individual will fully participate in the Cornell benefits program.   For a suitably qualified individual, an appointment as an adjunct faculty member of the Cornell astronomy department may be appropriate.  Collaborative interaction with U.S. academic researchers is an important part of the job and for this reason a generous travel allowance is provided. 

A Ph.D in astronomy or a related field, together with at least 7 years research experience in astronomy and a substantial record of published research achievements, is required.  Please send a complete curriculum vita including academic, professional and personal data, a research plan and three letters of reference to:  Director, National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, 502 Space Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6801.  EOE/AAE.  The deadline for receipt of applications and all supporting materials is September 30, 2005.  For further information about the NAIC Arecibo Observatory see http://www.naic.edu.

6/13/05