Support Astronomer for Lick Observatory

University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a Support Astronomer for Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. UCO's mission is to provide UC astronomers with access to forefront optical and infrared observatories, to design and build advanced instrumentation for the Lick, Keck, and Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Observatories, and to provide an organization that can coordinate astronomy groups throughout the UC system in support of their ground-based observing. UCO is a multi-campus astronomical research unit of UC, with headquarters on the UCSC campus. UCO operates the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton and technical laboratories at UCSC and UCLA, and funds instrumentation-related activities around the UC system. UCO is a managing partner of the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and the focal point for UC participation in the TMT project.

Support Astronomer Duties

Scientific Support (60%)

Provide the following technical and scientific support to observers:

• Instrument setup and calibration.
• Observer training and checkouts.
• On-call troubleshooting and recovery.
• Operate and maintain Lick instrumentation, including ShaneAO and associated laser systems:
  
  
  
  • Setup, calibration, and optimization of Adaptive Optics equipment.
  • Manage LGS operations on laser nights.
  • Support approximately 65-80 nights per year of observing.
  • Assist with development and/or commissioning of new equipment.
  • Create and update technical manuals and user documentation.
  
  
  
  
• Maintain remote observing systems (e.g., Windows VM images).
• Work collaboratively with off-site personnel to address real-time technical issues - including monitor, respond to and process time-critical events (e.g. Targets of Opportunity).
• Participate in training workshops and hands-on observer instruction (e.g., Graduate Student Workshop).
• Address user needs with professionalism across a range of technical abilities and backgrounds.
• Conduct independent research (with encouragement to publish results).
• Respond in person to on-call emergencies within 40 minutes.

Public Programs & Outreach (40%)

• Assist the Public Education Manager in planning and managing Lick Observatory's summer public programs:
• Coordinate vendors for talent, both musical and scientific.
• Handle logistics including registration, scheduling, materials, and on-site execution.
• Ensure budget compliance and process financial transactions.
• Serve as onsite leader for most public program nights.
• Deliver presentations and night sky tours during public and fundraising events.
• Support & lead private on-site events such as film crews, media access, and local partnership events.
• Provide on-call support of events throughout the year.
• Liaise with stakeholders including UCSC administrative offices, external vendors, and public partners.
• Contribute to communication materials and storytelling that highlight Lick's scientific and historical contributions.

The position requires that the Support Astronomer reside at Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton (a remote, rural environment and community) during night operations shifts and secure their own transportation to and from the worksite. Subsidized university owned housing at Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton (a remote, rural environment and community) may be available to rent for the support astronomer.

Working Conditions

• Frequent nighttime and weekend work required, including approximately five nights on-call per month.
• Evening and night commitments during observing runs and public events.
• Occasional extended workdays during major workshops or summer programs.
• Must be able to work safely in a remote mountaintop observatory environment.

Candidates with any of the following areas of expertise are especially encouraged to apply:

• Experience operating large telescopes and managing both daytime and nighttime observatory operations.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for time-sensitive technical issues.
• Familiarity with programming languages (e.g., Python, C, Tcl) and data reduction environments (e.g., IRAF, IDL, Starlink).
• Experience developing or commissioning scientific instruments.
• Knowledge of astronomy history and night sky lore.
• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences and support inclusive public education.
• Appreciation for working with historically significant telescopes and facilities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills for event coordination.
• Strong written/verbal communication skills.
• PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Planetary Science, or related field.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Lick Observatory: https://www.lickobservatory.org

UC Observatories: https://www.ucobservatories.org

• M.A./M.S. or B.A./B.S. degree and a minimum of two years' post-degree experience with large telescope operations and/or observatory work. Degree must be in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field. Equivalent foreign degrees are applicable.
• At least two years' experience in observational astronomy or instrumentation.
• Experience with public engagement, outreach and scientific communication.
• Knowledge in observing techniques such as adaptive optics, spectroscopy, direct imaging and calibration.
• Familiarity with Unix/Linux systems and common data reduction tools.
• Experience working with or supporting large scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with public event coordination.
• Experience with public speaking.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation*. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement at https://academicpersonnel.ucsc.edu/confidentiality-statements/.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

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UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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