Gemini Director

The International Gemini Observatory is one of the world’s largest and most productive ground-based astronomical observatories. Gemini’s twin 8.1-meter optical/IR telescopes provide access to both hemispheres from two of the world’s best astronomical sites, Maunakea, Hawai ‘i and Cerro Pachón, Chile. The telescopes host a suite of imaging and spectroscopic instruments, covering wavelengths between 0.4 and 5 microns, along with adaptive optics capabilities.

The International Gemini Observatory is funded by an international partnership including the United States, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and the Republic of Korea, and is operated by the National Science Foundation’s National Optical and Infrared Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), under the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).

Gemini seeks to drive investigator-led breakthrough discoveries spanning from the closest exoplanets to the most distant quasars, while reaching its goal of becoming the premier

large-aperture time domain astronomy follow-up facility in the era of Rubin Observatory, Roman Space Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Gemini is meeting this challenge through a major revitalization of its instrumentation suite, AO facilities, and user support infrastructure, utilizing the new capabilities offered by NOIRLab’s infrastructure in engineering, data science, communications, and outreach.

Gemini is working to implement Community Based Astronomy in Hawaii and Chile, following the recommendations of the 2020 Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Gemini leadership and staff engage with local communities near the observatories.

Gemini instrumentation is undergoing a major period of renewal, with multiple new and upgraded instruments arriving at Gemini in the 2020s. These include the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST), IGRINS-2, SCORPIO, the Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS), and upgrades to Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). There is an on-going program of improvements for the Gemini-South Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics system (GeMS) and the development of a new flexible Gemini-North Adaptive Optics (GNAO) system to operate in combination with GIRMOS. Finally, the next-generation facility instrument is expected to start within the next few years, in partnership with the Gemini community. For more information about Gemini’s current and future instrumentation, see www.gemini.edu/instrumentation.

The central mission of the Observatory is to provide access to large telescopes equipped with the high-quality instrumentation so that scientists in the partner user communities can carry out forefront research in optical/infrared astronomy at maximum effectiveness. The Observatory works in partnership with its community to maintain excellence and cost effectiveness in the facilities, instrumentation, and user support.

Major current objectives of the Observatory include:

  • To deliver and operate high-quality instruments that support the priorities of our community;
  • To provide a high fraction of queue operations with appropriate data quality control, data products, and completion fraction;
  • Ability to remotely operate the telescopes; and
  • To interface better with the partner community.

The NSF, as Executive Agency, has selected the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) to act as the Managing Organization for NOIRLab working under a Cooperative Agreement with NSF. Gemini operates under a Cooperative Services Agreement with NSF that flows from the master NOIRLab Cooperative Agreement.

International Gemini Observatory Director’s Role:

  • Ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Gemini telescopes and prepares for the future through strategic analysis and planning. The Director is responsible for the overall scientific productivity of Gemini in all aspects of the operation of the telescopes and for keeping Gemini at the forefront in science, technology, and instrumentation. In carrying out this role, the Gemini Director exercises strong scientific leadership and promotes the fulfillment of the Gemini mission.
  • Is appointed through a free and open competition and is responsible to the Gemini Board, through the Executive Agency and NOIRLab/AURA, for the overall conduct of Gemini. The Gemini Board, through the Executive agency and NOIRLab, will ensure that the Director is delegated the authority commensurate with that responsibility;
  • Is appointed by NOIRLab/AURA subject to approval by the Gemini Board through the Executive Agency; Communicates freely and directly with the Gemini Board and other entities in Gemini; and,
  • Maintains effective communications between Gemini and the scientific communities of the partner countries, maintains effective communications with Gemini related science and user advisory bodies [2], ensures that the management of Gemini is sensitive to the needs and aspirations of all the partners, and establishes and maintains good working relationships with the host organizations in Hawaii and Chile and with the national observatories and offices of each partner country. The Director is encouraged to work with these national entities so that Gemini optimally serves the science communities of the partner countries.

Essential Functions:

The Gemini Director will:

  • Keep the Gemini Board and NOIRLab Director informed and advise them of aspects or issues affecting the success of Gemini;
  • Assemble a high quality, diverse, internationally recognized scientific and technical staff and allocate resources to ensure that Gemini remains a competitive and cutting-edge scientific facility;
  • Develop and articulate a vision for the future of Gemini, act to maintain Gemini at the state of the art of science, technology, and instrumentation, and propose initiatives to build upon Gemini;
  • Communicate early and work cooperatively with stakeholders including oversight, advisory, and user’s committees and with the national observatories of the partners in resolving issues and developing initiatives that may affect them;
  • Motivate scientific and technical staff to remain at the forefront of science. This can include but is not limited to carrying out personal programs of scientific research in astronomy or astrophysics;
  • Set financial, technical, and managerial strategy as required for the effective execution of Gemini subject to overall strategy set by the Gemini Board;
  • Make financial commitments within limits set by the Gemini Board; and,
  • Administer Gemini within broad guidelines established and reviewed from time to time by AURA, and within the budget approved by the Gemini Board.
  • Provide leadership and direction of a management team that may include a Deputy Director, Chief Scientist, Associate Director of Engineering, and Associate Director of Development.
  • Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within NOIRLab and the Gemini user community.
  • Establishes a working relationship with the host organizations in Hawaii and Chile.

Other Functions:

  • Prepare annual operating plans and budgets subject to the overall policy and strategic guidance of the Gemini Board;
  • Prepare annual reports on the state of Gemini;
  • Keep the Gemini Board Chair and the NOIRLab Director apprised in a timely manner of major issues that may affect Gemini;
  • Participate in meetings of the Gemini Board providing such input as may be required or necessary to manage Gemini;
  • Participate in meetings of appropriate management oversight and advisory committees;
  • Establish working relationships with the host organizations in Hawaii and Chile;
  • Maintain liaison with the Gemini Offices of the partner countries, as appropriate;
  • Maintain a safe and effective work environment
  • Participate in a program of individual research as time permits
  • Other duties as assigned

The Gemini Board participates in the evaluation of the Gemini Director. NOIRLab evaluates the Gemini Director’s performance against the job description approved by the Gemini Board and seeks the Gemini Board’s input in this evaluation. Formal direction from the Gemini Board is communicated to the Director through the Executive Agency and through the NOIRLab Director. Similarly, all formal requests for guidance or decision flow from the Gemini Director through the NOIRLab Director and the Executive Agency to the Gemini Board. In all matters, other than formal direction or requests for direction, the Director communicates freely and directly with the Gemini Board and other entities in Gemini.

These include, but are not limited to, the National Gemini Offices, the Gemini Scientific and Technology Advisory Committee, the Users Committee of Gemini, and AURA’s NOIRLab Management Oversight Council.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

  • An ability to communicate with a wide variety of Gemini staff, Board members, oversight and advisory committee members, and users throughout the Gemini partnership is essential. Requires excellent team player skills.
  • Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • An aptitude for dealing with strategic and tactical problems and issues is necessary.
  • Must be able to travel internationally extensively and work in a culturally diverse environment.
  • Must be able to spend significant time at both Gemini sites.
  • Must possess the motivation and ability to identify and implement new strategic directions for the Observatory in a team environment.
  • D. in astronomy or closely related field.
  • Knowledge of theoretical and observational approaches to exploring the origins and astrophysical properties of celestial objects and the Universe
  • Familiarity with spectroscopy, direct imaging, and ground-based and space-based observing.
  • Demonstrated strategic thinking skills.
  • Strong personnel management skills.
  • Strong communication skills
  • Proficiency with astronomical software and data reduction techniques
  • Effective technical writing and public speaking communication skills
  • Advanced computer literacy
  • Ten or more years of experience as research scientist
  • Seven plus years’ experience working in a leadership position in an observatory, a national laboratory environment and/or an equivalent organization
  • Experience in personnel management and leadership skills

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

  • Gemini is part of NOIRLab, a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). Experience executing projects within US-federal uniform guidance and the National Science Foundations’ Research Infrastructure guidelines is preferred.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job (Job description outlines full detail).  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  • This work is mostly carried out in an office environment. Long periods of sitting may be required.

    This position requires significant travel to each of Gemini’s sites (Hawaii, Chile, Arizona), and international travel to engage with our partners.

    The ability to work at high altitude (14,000 ft) is preferred. This role may be based in Hilo, Hawaii (preferred location) or Tucson, Arizona.

    The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by January 19, 2024.

  • Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname. 
  • Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org. 
  • Please enter 3 professional references in your application (references will only be contacted later in the recruitment process). 

Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org 

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 47 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA’s role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities. 

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/employee-benefits-guide/ 

Consistent with the actions of the Biden Administration, as of 12 May 2023, AURA will no longer require COVID-19 vaccination of its employees in the U.S. AURA employees in the U.S. may be subject to COVID-19 vaccination requirements from other entities, such as host institutions or partner affiliations. 

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.

Job Overview

  • Expiration date: December 31, 2025
  • Location: Anywhere
  • Job Title: Gemini Director
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