Job Posting Title:
Research Associate, McDonald Observatory----
Hiring Department:
McDonald Observatory----
Position Open To:
All Applicants----
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40----
FLSA Status:
Exempt----
Earliest Start Date:
May 01, 2026----
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue----
Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS----
Job Details:
This position is supports instrumentation software required for the Giant Magellan Telescope Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GMTNIRS). GMTNIRS is one of four instruments being built for the Giant Magellan Telescope and will serve as a reliable spectrograph for the US astronomical community for many decades. The Research Associate will collaborate with the GMTNIRS instrument team to develop the software through the Final Design and into the Development phases. Prototype software development is ongoing, but future software must meet GMT standards. The software will control the instrument, help astronomers plan their observations, interface with telescope systems, and deliver science-quality reduced data products. Software is a key part of GMTNIRS. This position will report to Dr. Gregory Mace (PI), and will be a vital team member throughout the project.
The Research Associate will develop software for the GMTNIRS instrument that complies with GMT standards, including instrument control, observing planning, data acquisition, and data reduction.
Responsibilities
GMTNIRS Software Development. Team members are working with their own software for subsystems, and there is heritage software from the IGRINS spectrograph. This role will learn and enforce the requirements of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) facility while planning and developing the system software. This includes low-level development for instrument components and high-level development for user interfaces.
Future Instrument Software Development. The IGRINS spectrograph has a funded upgrade for a polarimeter. This role will require software solutions for observation and data reduction. The Research Associate will work with the team to expand the IGRINS lessons learned to meet those future demands. Also, perform other duties as assigned to meet project needs.
Ph.D. in Astronomy or related field.
Extensive knowledge of infrared spectroscopy.
Research experience in instrumentation and/or instrument support.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Attention to detail, effective problem-solving skills, and excellent judgment.
Research experience developing open-source software for scientific research.
Proficiency in Python and other programming languages.
Proficiency in using Git for collaborative software development.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Previous research experience in any of the following areas: high-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy, instrument software development, instrumentation.
Four years of postdoctoral experience in spectrograph software development
Experience mentoring students and working with engineers.
$105,000
Work in an academic research environment.
Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
Occasional overnight observations may be scheduled as needed.
Attendance at project meetings and reviews in Austin and at collaborator offices in Daejeon, South Korea.
Occasional travel to the GMT offices in Pasadena, California and to the telescope site in Chile.
Letter of interest/Research Statement
CV with list of publications
Minimum of three references, at least two of which must be from outside of The University of Texas at Austin.
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.----
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.----
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.