New Robotic Telescope: Instrument Scientist (fixed term until 31st March 2026)

Salary Range

£35,333 – £42,155 per annum

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) owns and operates a 2.0 metre robotic telescope (“The Liverpool Telescope”) on La Palma in the Canary Islands. Working with international partners we are now building the 4.2 metre New Robotic Telescope (NRT) on the same site. 

NRT is an STFC-funded project in collaboration with the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of Oviedo. Following a successful preliminary design review in 2021, the team have completed their first component critical review in 2022 and are moving forward to the overall system critical design review at the end of 2023, with an engineering first light planned in 2026.   

We seek an innovative and dedicated individual to take on the role of Instrument Scientist.  As part of the New Robotic Telescope team, you will have responsibility for developing the instrument and data-handling concepts for the new telescope. You will work with engineering staff to prototype new ideas and test systems and engage with user communities and working groups as part of the science team. You will also be encouraged to contribute to the research work of the institute at an internationally competitive level. 

The NRT highly values teamwork and you will work collaboratively with scientists and engineers in the same and other disciplines both within LJMU and at external partners and supplier organisations.  We expect that you will have a PhD in astronomy or a related field and experience of astronomical observing and data reduction as well as at least one of instrument design, development or commissioning. 

The position is fixed term and is based in the vibrant city of Liverpool, UK. LJMU operates a hybrid working model, and the post offers many opportunities for travel; visits to partners’ institutions (Canary Islands and mainland Spain) along with attendance at conferences and meetings across the world.  

More details about the New Robotic Telescope are available at https://robotictelescope.org/  

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Helen Jermak (NRT Project Scientist) email:  [email protected]  

LJMU is committed to achieving equality of opportunity. The Astrophysics Research Institute values the diversity of our all staff and students. We see diversity as a positive force to generate excellent research and explore the unknowns of our Universe together. Every role offers an opportunity for us to bring in a different perspective, we strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply.

Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.