Jobs in Astronomy Communication 
Here we will list job openings related with astronomy outreach, education and communication. If you want to advertise here, please send an email to editor@capjournal.org with the subject "Job for CAPJ".
- Internship: Press Officer (6 month maternity cover) at UK Space Agency Closing date: 20/01/2012:
| Job categories |
Advertising, Marketing and PR
Public Sector
Publishing, Media and Performing Arts
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| Paid / unpaid |
Paid
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| Salary |
10000
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| Job description |
The UK Space Agency is seeking a motivated graduate for work placement as a press officer to cover a 6 month maternity leave.
The post is based at the Agency's offices at Polaris House in Swindon, and will start in late January/early February 2012.
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| Key Responsibilities: |
- Draft and issue Agency press releases
- Write copy for the Agency website, publications
- Set up interviews and provide briefing notes for target media, and organise media briefings where appropriate.
- Respond to media enquiries quickly and efficiently.
- Maintain Agency's database of key journalists.
- Produce content regularly for website and publications.
- Maintain the Communications grid of ongoing work and enquiries.
- Assemble and distribute weekly and monthly media monitoring reports.
- Work with the BIS central communications team, and other communications colleagues, to identify opportunities for the UK Space Agency and more generally for the UK space sector.
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| Person requirements |
Required Skills:
* Excellent communication skills, including ability to write well for a variety of audiences
* Experience of dealing with the media and writing press releases.
* Sound IT skills - particularly MS Word and Outlook.
* The ability to manage a broad spectrum of activities, sometimes with conflicting deadlines
Press and media experience is a plus, as is an interest in space.
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| Degree requirements |
Degree awarded from a UK university is required
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| Subject(s) |
Engineering - Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing
Arts and Humanities
Business, Finance, Management and Accountancy
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences and Economics
Engineering - Electronic, Electrical
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| Location(s) |
South West England
South East England
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| Additional location details |
Swindon
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| Full-time/part-time |
Full-time
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| Start date |
Now
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| Duration: |
4 - 6 months
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| Additional timing information: |
30/01/2012
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- Web & Advanced Projects Coordinator Closing date for applications is 22 January 2012:
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 astronomical observatory. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in the Atacama Desert region of Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnator. The ESO headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany. ESO is the focal point for Europe’s participation in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) consortium, which is currently constructing a large submillimetre array in the Chilean Andes. The concept and design of a 40m class European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) is also currently underway at ESO.
For its education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD) in the Science Directorate at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is opening the position of Web & Advanced Projects Coordinator.
ESO’s education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD) is based partly at the ESO Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, and partly in Santiago de Chile. ESO ePOD is responsible for providing information about ESO’s activities to the public in the Member States and beyond. ESO ePOD manages and performs public astronomy communication activities aimed at various target groups, including the media, the public, educators, the ESO user community, industrial partners and decision-makers. The European Space Agency’s Hubble Space Telescope outreach work is also handled by ePOD, and the group operates the press office for the International Astronomical Union. These combined outreach activities make ESO an exciting European and global centre for astronomy outreach and education. The group is very strong in the production of astronomical images, exhibitions, high-impact video material and powerful outreach projects. Working with the fast-paced media world and the public, ePOD work emphasises rapid and on-time delivery of results.
| Main Duties and Responsibilities: |
As the Web & Advanced Projects Coordinator in ePOD you will be responsible for the development and maintenance of the department’s technical science communication infrastructure which is a core operational component for a world-leading astronomy education and public outreach group.
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| This will involve |
- Developing and operating an in-house astronomical digital asset management system based on the Django Web Framework (based on Python). This system stores astronomical metadata and data for more than 30.000 high quality astronomical images, videos, press releases, brochures and other outreach related material in 20 different languages.
- Maintaining and improving the web infrastructure for 6 major Django-based websites and 20 minor websites in collaboration with the ESO IT department.
- Project management of ePOD’s technical projects (e.g. mobile applications, astronomical image processing tools, etc.) including requirements definition and coordination.
- Interface with the IT department on all ePOD’s technical infrastructure(office computers, video storage etc.).
- Supervision of external programmers(contractors).
- Mentoring of, and usersupport for, ePOD’s Web Content Team.
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| Experience: |
Demonstrated experience in web development and project management in a fast-paced online environment. Technical experience required for the position:
- Minimum 4 years of experience with Django/Python development
- Experience with operating high traffic websites
- Experience witht he following technologies and applications in production environments:
- Backend: Apache+mod_wsgi, MySQL, memcached, Celery/RabbitMQ, Linux
- Frontend: HTML, CSS and jQuery
- Web-based userinterfaces
- Management of web and software projects
- Database design and optimization.
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| Key Competences: |
- Result-oriented—delivering prompt and efficient service on multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines.
- Problem solving—strong analytical and problem determination/ resolution skills.
- Highly organized and good organisational skills.
- Proactive, highly motivated and able to work within the department both in a team and independently.
- Ability to follow departmental procedures and workflows accurately, and to clearly document new and updated procedures when necessary, so that colleagues can also follow them.
- Work and communicate effectively in an international environment, collaborating with people from different countries and cultures.
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The following skills would be an asset:
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- Knowledge and interest in public science outreach and astronomy.
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| Qualifications: |
- Technical degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
|
Person requirements
Required Skills: |
- Excellent communication skills, including ability to write well for a variety of audiences
- Experience of dealing with the media and writing press releases.
- Sound IT skills - particularly MS Word and Outlook.
- The ability to manage a broad spectrum of activities, sometimes with conflicting deadlines
- Press and media experience is a plus, as is an interest in space.
|
| 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 and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.
The initial contract is for a period of two years with the possibility of a fixed-term extension. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
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| Language skills: |
The position requires a very good command of written and spoken English.
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| Duty Station: |
Garching near Munich, Germany
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| Career Path: |
III
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Application: |
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (http://www.eso.org) for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at https://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.
Closing date for applications is 22 January 2012.
Although recruitment preference will be given to nationals of ESO Member States (members are: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom) no nationality is in principle excluded.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.
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- Special Projects Manager deadline for applications is 15 January 2012:
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres is looking for an exceptional individual to project manage our new 'Quarks to the Cosmos' National Strategic Project. This results from a new partnership between The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and ASDC.
The project is funded by the STFC until January 2014 and aims to inspire a new sense of excitement amongst young people and families around the physical sciences by sharing the amazing stories and technologies of STFC.
STFC is a world leader in helping humans ask and explore the really big questions. In particular, questions about the physical nature of the world around us, about ourselves and our place in the universe.
The Special Projects Manager would be responsible for bringing together the talents and infrastructure of the nation's largest network of science engagement professionals, with the innovation, research and people of STFC to inspire and engage families and school students in informal settings.
The Special Projects Manager would be responsible for the planning, financial management and delivery of the 'Quarks to the Cosmos' project, as well as its day to day management. The position is full-time for an 18-month contract in the first instance, reports to the CEO and is based at the ASDC offices on the Bristol Harbourside.
For a full job description and details on how to apply please click here.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2012 and interviews will be held on 23 January in Bristol.
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