AASWOMEN for August 21, 2009

The IAU General Assembly this past week passed its first-ever resolution on Women in Astronomy. The resolution is included below in its entirety and can be found in the online version of the General Assembly Newspaper at the following link (Resolution B4):

http://www.astronomy2009.com.br/08.pdf

Do you know a woman in science or engineering who has taken a career break from her academic position?

In an effort to understand the pipeline of women professors in science and engineering we are conducting a NSF-sponsored survey on women in career breaks, whether voluntary or not. We are interested in women who have completed their PhD or DSc, have been employed in an academic setting and were, or have been, in a career break for less than five years. We are seeking to interview such women to help us determine better ways for individuals who have been in career breaks to be reintegrated into the academic pipeline.

If you are someone who fits this profile or know of someone who does, please contact Dean Rachelle Heller at sheller_at_gwu.edu to set up an interview.

Elizabeth D. Freeland

Margaret Burbidge is an amazing role model for me. I grew up in the 60s and 70s in San Diego. She was a professor at UC San Diego, and there was a lot of local newspaper coverage about her research. She was the only woman scientist that I knew of, other than Marie Curie. I turned down Stanford to go to UC San Diego as an undergraduate, because of the growing astrophysics research group she was part of, and because it would be so cool to be at the same institution as Margaret. And it was cool! I was able to take classes from her; I was able to see her working as a scientist down the hall from the lab where I was doing undergrad research. When I went to grad school at Caltech, her breaking down of barriers to women observing at Mt. Wilson was legendary (as were Judy Cohen's contributions!). I will be forever grateful to her (I hope you are reading this, Margaret!).

The North American ALMA Science Center (the NAASC) has openings for three scientists to work in the area of advanced user support. The NAASC is headquartered at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory headquarters in Charlottesville, VA. ALMA, the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array, when inaugurated in 2012, will be the most powerful (sub)millimeter interferometer ever constructed, and will transform our understanding of topics ranging from the formation of nearby protoplanetary disks to the first galaxies at the earliest epochs of the Universe. Commissioning of the first ALMA antennas in Chile has commenced, in preparation for early science in 2011. The NAASC is currently under rapid expansion in preparation for its role in support of North American users through all stages of their ALMA research, from observing time application through data publication. These positions will be filled at the assistant, associate, or scientist level, depending on experience.

The successful candidates will be members of the NAASC team of scientists, and will provide advanced scientific and technical support to members of the North American ALMA user community. In addition, the successful candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a vigorous and independent research program. Each NAASC team member will provide support in some or all of the following areas: user support & training; workshop & tutorial planning; user documentation; and community outreach. The successful candidates will be expected to become proficient in the use of the ALMA end-user tools, and take the lead on one or more tools and/or area of ALMA expertise. There will be opportunities for moderate travel to Chile, including taking brief ?turns? as Astronomer-on-Duty at the ALMA Observing Support Facility in northern Chile.

The successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of independent research in an area related to the goals of ALMA. A superior ability to communicate with the ALMA users, from novice to expert, is required, including direct assistance for visiting observers, on-line help, and teaching at workshops and tutorials.

Requirements include a PhD in astronomy, physics or a related field, and two years post graduate experience in astronomical observing and data processing. A strong background in observational astronomy, astrophysical processes, and data reduction techniques is preferred, particularly in radio/mm/submm interferometric observing techniques. Proficiency with one or more radio interferometric data processing languages such as CASA, AIPS, MIRIAD and GILDAS, would be advantageous, particularly CASA, which is the adopted environment for ALMA.

Interested applicants may apply online at

https://careers.nrao.edu

and should include a curriculum vitae, bibliography, cover letter, and statement of research interests with ALMA. Please direct any inquires to

clonsdal_at_nrao.edu.

Initial review of applicants will begin December 1, 2009; however, applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

NRAO is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is playing a leading role in the construction and operations of the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA). When inaugurated in 2012, ALMA will be the most powerful (sub)millimeter interferometer ever constructed, and will transform our understanding of topics ranging from the formation of nearby protoplanetary disks to the earliest epochs of galaxy formation. The North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC) located at NRAO headquarters in Charlottesville, VA (on the campus of the University of Virginia) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work with the NAASC scientific staff as it gears up to support the needs of the community when ALMA early science begins in 2011. The initial appointment beginning in spring 2010, will be for two years, with the possibility of extending for a third year.

This position is aimed primarily at independent research, but with an emphasis on exercising ALMA end-to-end software and databases from a scientific perspective. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with NAASC scientists and to participate in the organization of ALMA scientific workshops, ALMA commissioning, and various other user support projects. The successful candidate is encouraged to assist in the development and maintenance of Splatalogue - the Database for Astronomical Spectroscopy ( http://www.splatalogue.net ) and will work with NAASC scientists to update and enhance the current capabilities and data available in the database. The position will be based at the NAASC in Charlottesville, VA and will offer an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the tools needed to make the most of ALMA's scientific promise.

To be considered, applicants must have an advanced degree in astronomy, chemistry, physics or a related field. Experience in any area of astronomical research is welcome. Skills in either molecular spectroscopy or automated line identification are also desirable but not required. Scientific programming capabilities are also desirable.

Interested applicants may apply online at

https://careers.nrao.edu

and should include a curriculum vitae, bibliography, cover letter, and statement of research interests with ALMA as well as past and planned independent scientific research. Applicants should also arrange to have three reference letters sent directly to NRAO by the deadline below. Please direct any inquires to Anthony Remijan at

aremijan_at_nrao.edu.

Initial review of applicants will begin on January 5, 2010; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

NRAO is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

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