Assistant Scientist

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

In recent years, the rapid expansion of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems for broadband internet and cellular services has significantly increased radio frequency interference (RFI) exposure at remote radio astronomy sites. In response, NRAO and the broader radio astronomy community — with support from the NSF — have spearheaded collaborative efforts with commercial NGSO operators to develop coordination techniques that help mitigating the impact of satellite downlink signals on scientific observations. A key outcome of these efforts is the Operational Data Sharing (ODS) system, an automated machine-to-machine (M2M) data exchange framework that reports upcoming telescope observation schedules to a central database, from which NGSO operators can query real-time telescope parameters via a secure Application Programming Interface (API).

The NRAO Spectrum Management Department (SMD) is seeking an Assistant Scientist to join the ODS project team. As an NRAO scientific staff member, the appointee will dedicate 75% of their time to functional work within the ODS development team, with the remaining 25% available for independent research. The primary responsibility of this position is to support coordinated testing and evaluation of the ODS system across NRAO sites, other U.S. radio astronomy observatories, and spectrum management groups at relevant federal agencies as more users are adopting the ODS system. For more information on the ODS system, please visit: https://obs.vla.nrao.edu/ods/index.html

This is a three-year appointment with the possibility of renewal, subject to observatory needs, funding availability, and mutual agreement.

The position is based preferably at the NRAO headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia. Telework or a remote options may be available for consideration to a highly qualified candidate.

Domestic travel between NRAO sites (in New Mexico and West Virginia) and conferences is expected.

What You Will be Doing:

Technical Development and Integration:

• Capture and maintain top level project requirements
• Work with project leadership to develop and execute new software features
• Participate development activities with the ODS software team
• Support testing and analysis activities for ODS evaluation for different stakeholders, including scheduling telescope test time and developing python analysis scripts.

Community and Stakeholder Support:

• Communicate requirements and coordinate testing with internal and external ODS stakeholders
• Prepare and review documentation (internal- or public-facing), e.g., user guides, online documentation, press releases, etc.
• Contribute or lead technical writing efforts, e.g., technical memos, journal publications, FCC filing comments, etc.
• Support the broad-impact efforts within SMD and NRAO in general, including summer student mentoring, public outreach, etc.

Scientific Contribution:

• Contribute to and support broader NRAO spectrum management activities within the department and the observatory
• Maintain awareness of relevant technology developments and spectrum policies
• Maintain an active independent research program, ideally make significant use of NRAO facilities and internal collaborations, along with supporting the NRAO’s missions

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment.

Who You Are:  

• You have a PhD in astronomy, physics, mathematics, electrical/computer science engineering or related fields.
• You have at least one year of experience collaborating with inter-departmental groups and large scientific or engineering collaborations
• You have prior experience contributing to or leading medium to large-scale research projects, with a track record of delivering results within a team setting

• Demonstrated experience measuring and interpreting large dataset from RF systems

While not required you may have:

• Prior experience in spectrum management and frequency coordination, including proficiency in radio wave propagation calculations and link budget analysis

• Prior experience with observations using NRAO facilities (GBT, VLBA, VLA)

• Knowledge of radio astronomy science and RF instrumentation is highly desirable

• Familiarity with SQL and relational database concepts, with experience in querying, managing, and maintaining structured datasets in a research or engineering context, such as with API

• Proficiency in Python, with experience developing and maintaining scientific or engineering software in a collaborative environment

• Familiarity with Linux/Unix operating systems and command-line workflows 

• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git via GitHub or GitLab, in a team development setting

• Familiarity with modern software development methodologies such as Agile or Scrum

• Experience with issue tracking and project management platforms such as Jira and Confluence

• Strong documentation skills, including taking meeting notes, organizing project materials, and preparing technical documents using LaTeX or equivalent tools

Competency Summary

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders both within and outside the observatory
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to evolving project requirements and shifting priorities, often with little advance notice, in a dynamic research and development environment
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically on an occasional basis

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor new H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The typical starting salary for an Assistant Scientist starts at $85,000. Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

For consideration, select the “Apply” button above. Please prepare a single PDF document consisting of the following items:

• Cover letter stating why you are interested in this position. The letter should describe how you match the position and qualifications summarized above (no more than 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae including publications list
• Summary of past research and technical experience (maximum of 3 pages), including any data processing or commissioning work relevant to this position.
• The names and contact information for three individuals familiar with your technical and scientific abilities.

Candidates selected for an interview must be prepared to submit three letters of recommendation. Instructions for letter submission will be provided at the time of request.

The PDF file is to be uploaded with the “Additional Documents” feature at the applicant portal; the file name format should follow this convention: LastName,FirstInitial_SPM.pdf. The deadline for receipt of complete applications is December 1, 2026. Please direct inquiries to cdepree@nrao.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to resumes@nrao.edu.  PM20