Astrophysics Center Program Scientist in Radio Astronomy
Nonpartisan nonprofit policy initiative producing recommendations on U.S. competitiveness in AI and other emerging technologies.
Funding history
Investors
About Special Competitive Studies Project
Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) is an Arlington, Virginia private operating foundation focused on how AI and emerging technologies affect U.S. national security, the economy, and society. It publishes policy work and operates programs, assessments, and convenings.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will provide scientific and technical expertise across radio astronomy facilities. You will assess facility readiness, survey strategy, calibration, data products, and software plans; coordinate reviews; oversee grants; represent the portfolio externally; and advise on scientific priorities and future observatory opportunities.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, or a closely related field
- Minimum 10 years of experience following the Ph.D.
- Scientific leadership in a major radio astronomy collaboration, observatory, or survey
- Extensive radio interferometry experience
- Understanding of radio astronomy instrumentation, calibration, imaging, data processing, and scientific operations
- Ability to work across scientific, engineering, and multidisciplinary teams
- Scientific judgment and communication skills
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally
Responsibilities
- Provide scientific and technical expertise in radio astronomy across the observatory portfolio
- Collaborate with partner institutions through facility design, construction, commissioning, and scientific operations
- Evaluate scientific capabilities, technical readiness, milestones, and commissioning activities
- Review survey strategy, operational planning, calibration, data products, and software plans
- Coordinate scientific and technical reviews and synthesize expert input
- Oversee gifts and grants in radio astronomy and monitor progress
- Represent the portfolio at technical reviews, scientific meetings, and workshops
- Build relationships with partner institutions and the radio astronomy community
- Advise leadership on scientific priorities, strategic decisions, and future facility concepts