Research Associate - ngVLA Prototype Antenna (4881)

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a diverse research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) across North America, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.  We are currently designing the Next-Generation VLA (ngVLA), a new facility which will offer an order-of-magnitude advance over the current VLA and VLBA with first light expected in the early 2030s.

At NRAO we are seeking a Research Associate to work on testing a prototype ngVLA 18m reflector antenna that will be located at the VLA site, expected to be available in Spring 2025. The antenna is a novel Offset Gregorian design with performance tailored for observations from 1.2 to 116 GHz while accounting for the need for mass manufacturing and simplified site installation. The appointment will be awarded initially for a two-year period, potentially renewable for a third year. The appointee will be expected to spend 75% of their time on antenna testing, commissioning, characterization and related work, with the remaining 25% available for independent research.

The preferred work location for the position will be at the NRAO Science Operations Center located in Socorro, NM on the campus of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (www.nmt.edu). Socorro is a small, historical city in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Socorro offers ample access to outdoor recreation. Frequent travel to the VLA site to work directly with the antenna is also expected. Other duty stations may be considered.

What You Will be Doing:

●        Planning and executing test observations aimed at characterizing antenna performance including surface accuracy and efficiency, pointing/focus and beam shape.

●        Testing antenna performance in a variety of weather conditions (thermal, wind).

●        Applying both single-dish (radiometric) and interferometric methods for the above tests.

●        Developing necessary data analysis procedures.

●        Interacting with other engineers and scientists to troubleshoot system issues.

●        Contributing to calibration strategies under development for ngVLA.

●        Carrying out a program of independent astronomical research.

●        Debugging prototype failures and assisting the engineering and maintenance teams.

●        Capturing recommendations to be considered in the final design of the ngVLA antenna.

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, Astrophysics, Physics or a related field.

●        Previous experience in radio astronomy instrumentation, developm