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Founding DirectorCommonwealth Observatory, The University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is establishing an observatory with a combination of state and private support. Its mission is undergraduate education and public outreach. Our Department has large introductory astronomy courses for non-majors, with typically 1000 students per semester, and smaller courses for Physics and Astronomy majors and students who are especially interested in astronomy. Introductory students will use the observatory to see the moon and brighter planets, and advanced students will build instruments and conduct observations. We are looking for a leader who will become the founding director of our observatory. The construction of the observatory should be complete by the Fall Semester, 2007. It will be located on central campus, so that students have easy and safe access to it. It will have modern facilities including a permanently mounted 20" Celestron telescope on a Mathis mounting, an Ash Dome, adjoining lab space as well as a number of small portable telescopes. Among the first duties of the new Director will be to provide guidance in making the facility fully functional. This may include working with Celestron and Mathis to make the telescope and its computer controls fully operational. After the telescope is set up we will develop the ability to do both CCD imaging and spectroscopy with advanced students. The duties will include supervising several observatory Teaching Assistants, who will work with the Director in using the observatory with undergraduates and the public. The Director will teach some sections of introductory astronomy. The successful candidate should be able to set up and operate a modern 20" telescope, have a good working knowledge of the night time sky, be able to supervise graduate teaching assistants, have good communication skills when interacting with students, staff, and the public, and be able to manage the facility’s budget. Evening work will be required. Minimum qualifications are a Masters Degree in astronomy or an astronomy-related area and 2 years of related experience or the equivalent. The salary will be in the range $45,040-$74,316/yr. The applications are due by August 15 2007 but the position will remain open until filled. To apply for this position, job # SM517360, submit a UK Online Application at http://www.uky.edu/HR/UKjobs/. Click on the link, then select the link "online employment for job seekers" in the upper left corner of the page. Next click on "search postings" in the upper left corner of the page. Enter "SM517360" in the "Requisition No." line and click on the "search" button. The resulting page should say "observatory manager" on the left under job title. Click on the "view" link, which will take you to job details page. There is a button towards the bottom of the page that says "apply for this posting" - that goes to the application form. Our application process is totally electronic. If you have any questions, contact HR/Employment, phone (859) 257-9555 press 2, or email ukjobs@email.uky.edu. The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from minorities and women. For questions about the observatory director position please contact the Department Chair, Prof. Mike Cavagnero. For problems or questions regarding this web site contact Gary Ferland. |
Copyright 2001-2006 Gary J. Ferland
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