The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) invites applications forSenior Research Engineer (Software engineering team leader) of the NAOJ ChileObservatory (Mitaka, Tokyo)
1. Position: One Senior Research Engineer (equivalent to tenured associate professor position)
2.
(1) Division: NAOJ Chile Observatory(2) Duty station: Mitaka, Tokyo
3. Job description:
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) is playing a major role in the design,development/assembly, operation, and maintenance of software and computer systems ofinternational astronomical telescope projects, such as the ALMA telescope and the Thirty Meter
Telescope (TMT).
NAOJ is seeking for one Senior Research Engineer (tenured) in the field of software andcomputing systems. The successful candidate will initially be assigned to the Chile Observatory
and will be engaged in the design, development, operation, and maintenance of large softwaresystems for the ALMA telescope and/or the TMT. The successful candidate is also expected toplay a leading role in the technical and operational development and implementation of software
and/or infrastructure commonly used among multiple NAOJ projects. The successful candidate
will also be responsible for the training of other software engineers and computing systemengineers.
Skills, Experience, and Key Competences:
Wealth of technical knowledge, expertise, and experience to conduct the above specified job
responsibilities are required.
Leadership, excellent understanding of job responsibilities, cooperative personality, goodcommunication, and team work skills are essential.
Applicants must be fluent in English in reading, writing, and speaking, in order to communicate
and lead technical discussions in international projects.
4.
(1) Start of employment: As soon as reasonably possible after selection(2) Term of employment: Indefinite (subject to the retirement age of 65).
5. Required qualification:
A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Astronomy, Physics, Engineering, and experience insoftware system development related to research. Or a wealth of technical knowledge, expertise,and experience to demonstrate possession of skills to fulfill the job responsibilities specified in"3. Work description".
Knowledge of astronomy is not required.
6. Application documents:(1) Cover letter(2) Curriculum Vitae including academic (starting from high school) and employment history(engineering career to be included. If you have any achievements in a research/development
project as a group member, describe your role and contribution in detail.)(3) Your commitment and plan to fulfill the duties (including your motivation and vision for
applying for this position. A4,5-10 pages.)(4) List of research papers or patents (For research papers, peer-reviewed papers should beseparated from others. For co-authored papers, roles played by applicant should bespecified.)(5) PDF copies of research papers or documents that can be used to evaluate the applicant’s
engineering performance and potential (up to three)(6) Names, titles, and e-mail addresses of two reference persons(7) Your address (e-mail and phone) for a prompt contact(8) Reference letters (Not mandatory, please ask the reference persons to send the letter attached
to an e-mail to the submission address shown in 8. (1) to arrive before the application
deadline.)
7. Application deadline: 2019-01-04, 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)
8. Submission:(1) Send your application documents by e-mail to;E-mail: apply-alma-sre20181109_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)Subject of e-mail: “Application for Senior Research Engineer of NAOJ Chile Observatory”.
(2) If you have any inquiries, contact;
Prof. Hideki Takami, Director of Engineering
E-mail: apply-alma-sre20181109_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @).
Subject of e-mail: “Inquiry for Application for Senior Research Engineer of NAOJ ChileObservatory”
9. Notes for application:(1) Convert each application document (from 6.(1) through 6.(7) above) to PDF files and sendby e-mail for application. Do not send your application by postal mail or bring it directly tothe office in person.
(2) Make PDF files with appropriate resolution so that they won’t be too large (file size: up to10 MB).

(3) Upon receipt of your application, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. If you do notreceive any response from NAOJ within 3 working days, please contact;
E-mail: apply-alma-sre20181109_AT_nao.ac.jp (replace _AT_ with @)10. Remarks(1) Your application documents will be used only for the purpose of selection for this position.
(2) Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity: Abiding by the Equal Employment Opportunity
Act for Men and Women, NAOJ is committed to the realization of a society with genderequality. If two candidates are deemed equal in their performance evaluation, NAOJ willtake positive action to employ women. For details, see http://openinfo.nao.ac.jp/danjokyodo/