ces@noao.UUCP (Central Eng Svs) (01/29/85)
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the principal U. S. operated optical astronomy observatory in the Southern Hemisphere, has an immediate opening for an outstanding programmer/analyst to work on the design and implementation of control programs for astronomical instrumentation and for the reduction of astronomical data. The Observatory uses both DEC PDP-11/73 and Data General eclipse computers for telescope and instrument control on Cerro Tololo and an MV/8000 and a Vax 11/750 at its La Serena headquarters. Its 4-meter telescope is the largest in the southern hemisphere. The position offers the opportunity to work with a small group on forefront problems in the applications of computers to observational astronomy. Current projects include visual detector systems using charged coupled de- vices and two-dimensional photon-counters, a cooled multi- channel spectrometer for the infrared, infrared array imag- ing detectors and the implementation of 32-bit UNIX worksta- tions to provide on-line data reduction. The ideal candidate will have a Masters or PhD in Com- puter Science, Astronomy or Physics and experience with real-time operating systems, instrument control application and assembly and high level languages. Candidates with Bachelor's degrees and several years experience in astronom- ical or related applications will also be considered. The Observatory offices and housing area are located in La Serena, Chile, a pleasant coastal city in a mild climate 500 KM north of Santiago. The telescopes are 90 KM east of La Serena at an altitude of 2200 meters. Staff have excel- lent benefits and living conditions, including U.S. scale salaries, overseas allowance, annual travel benefit to point of hire and tax exclusions. Please send curriculum vitae, description of experi- ence, and addresses of three references to Personnel Office, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, P. O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726 with a copy by Air Mail to Director's Office, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Casilla 603, La Serena, Chile. All applications will be treated in confidence. Deadline is March 31, 1985. January 28, 1985