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The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.

For its User Support Department, within the Data Management and Operations Division of the Directorate of Operations at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of Scheduling Technical Assistant.

The Operations Support Group (OSG) within the User Support Department (USD) provides science operations services to the USD and other operational units in charge of supporting and operating La Silla Paranal Observatory (LPO). The department is part of the Data Management and Operations Division (DMO) which provides high-reliability support to the operation of the ESO facilities and to their community of users in the framework of an integrated end-to-end system and maintains the archive facility and its data holdings as a powerful resource for both scientific and operational use.

Starting from the end of 2023 USD will be responsible for generation, updates, and maintenance of the LPO telescopes schedule and in the future will also handle the scheduling for the observing proposals for the ELT that is under construction at the Cerro Armazones. The telescopes scheduling operations will include technical and administrative tasks which will be handled by a scheduling technical assistant from OSG.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Scheduling Technical Assistant will support the preparation of the telescopes schedule and will have the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Support the preparation of the LPO telescopes schedule by operating the scheduling tool, identifying scheduling conflicts and inserting scheduling comments in coordination with the USD scheduling team;
• Manage the incoming schedule change requests from the observatory, evaluate the impact of the requested change requests, implement the changes according to resolution, and inform all the relevant stakeholders about the impact of the change as well as the final solution;
• Act as an interface for the Principal Investigators of the observing proposals for follow-up of schedule change requests and feedback on the schedule. By liaising with the USD scheduling team implement the change according to resolution and take the responsibility to inform both the external users and ESO operations stakeholders affected by the schedule change;
• Support the preparation of reports related to technical feasibility of the proposed scientific observing proposals, status of the scheduling for Guaranteed Time Observing proposals, scheduling conflicts and contribute to scheduling summary report;
• Interface with the Visiting Astronomers Travel office, appraising and informing about scheduling changes related to Visitor Mode runs and providing back-up support for the Visiting Astronomers Travel office operations;
• Provide back-up administrative support for DMO division staff.

Reports to:

Head of the Operations Support Group.

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience

• Experience in running software tools and scripts beyond the standard office administration tools and willingness to acquire new skills;
• Self-directed and highly motivated with problem-solving attitude, attention to detail and ability to identify key issues and suggest possible solution(s);
• Experience in support with strong customer focused attitude;
• Ability to work independently taking own initiative to identify ways to optimise daily workflows;
• Effective and committed team member with experience working in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to balance conflicting demands and prioritise day-to-day activities vs long-term tasks, and to effectively deliver also under time pressure;
• Provide clear, concise, and timely oral and written communication.

Desirable Competences and Experience

• Ability to take flexible approach and adapt quickly to changing circumstances;
• Experience in administrative tasks such as travel organisation and keeping records;
• Open and friendly attitude to interact with a variety of users;
• Experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluating activities in collaboration with scientific staff;
• Experience with ERP applications;
• General knowledge about observational astronomy and/or astronomical observatory operations.

Qualifications:

Essential educational level: University bachelor's degree. Qualifications which would be an asset: BSc in astronomy, physics or equivalent.

Language skills:

The position requires an excellent working knowledge of English.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.

Our Salary Structure

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience. Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/.

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station: Garching near Munich, Germany.
Career Path: III

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 30 August 2023.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values:

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO Values are:

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity:

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.

Nationality:

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.

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