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Job Advertisement: Closing Date 30th November 2019

Postdoctoral position in astronomy and astro-tourism for development
at The University of Namibia, in association with The University of
Oxford.

The University of Namibia (UNAM) seeks a resourceful, innovative Ph.D.
astronomer with experience and motivation in public outreach,
education and development activities. This postdoctoral position, with
a specific focus on astro-tourism for development, is supported by an
award from the UK Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) to the
University of Oxford. The aim of this GCRF project is to develop human
capacity in Namibia across the areas of science, education, and
astronomy-related tourism.

Namibia has some of the clearest and darkest skies in the world. The
combination of mild climate and low population density mean that
astro-tourism has huge potential in Namibia, with a minimum
environment impact even if tourist numbers substantially increase.
Tourism and the environment are identified as priority research areas
in the National Programme on Research, Science, Technology and
Innovation. At present, Namibia has a small, very professional,
community of “astrofarms” which attracts high-end amateur astronomers,
but the majority of tourism is focussed on wildlife and the
terrestrial environment.

This position will entail diversifying astro-tourism in a sustainable
manner to ensure economic benefit spreads to previously disadvantaged
sectors of Namibian society. This will entail working across
government, non-governmental organisations and development agencies
with support from UNAM, Oxford and the Office of Astronomy for
Development.

The post has a gross salary of NAD 346,950 per annum with healthcare
and social benefits included. It will be based at UNAM main campus,
with funds available for travel to international meetings and
collaboration with the OAD and other regional centres. The position is
available immediately, and will run until 31 March 2021.

UNAM is the largest and leading institution of higher education in the
country. It is a diverse institution with a student population from 43
countries and from all populated continents. Although a relatively
young university, it has grown to support a student population of over
27,000 students on 12 campuses.

The Department of Physics at UNAM is situated at its main campus in
Windhoek and hosts the largest and most active astronomy group in
southern Africa outside South Africa. Currently, the department hosts
four senior and three junior academic staff together with several
postgraduate students. The fields of activity are focused around
gamma-ray astronomy of active galaxies, observational cosmology with
SN Ia, computational cosmic ray propagation, occultation observations
of TNOs, and site testing for astronomical facilities. Besides being
member institute to the H.E.S.S. collaboration and the CTA consortium,
the Department of Physics is leading the national efforts towards the
SKA and the African VLBI Network (AVN). Further, UNAM is founding
partner of the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) project to establish
the first mm-wave radio telescope on the African continent to
complement the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT).

Additionally, members of the Department have access to the Southern
African Large Telescope (SALT) and to an in-house HPC cluster. The
department expects further expansion with the establishment of a
research chair in multi-wavelength astronomy. Candidates should have
completed a Ph.D. in any area of astrophysics before commencing the
post. Applicants should send a CV (two pages) and description of
relevant experience in astronomy public outreach, education and/or
development along with a statement of research interests (three pages
in total) to Ashling Gordon ([log in to unmask]) and
arrange for two confidential reference letters to be sent to the same
address. Consideration of applications will begin on 30/11/2019 and
will continue until the post is filled.

This post is one of several available under the UNAM-Oxford GCRF
project and is in addition to the posts recently advertised in
high-energy astrophysics. Candidates who applied unsuccessfully for
the high-energy astrophysics posts are encouraged to apply again.
Informal enquiries may be sent to Prof Garret Cotter
([log in to unmask]), Dr Michael Backes ([log in to unmask])
and Dr Eli Kasai ([log in to unmask]).

The University of Namibia is an equal opportunity employer committed
to diversity and inclusion.

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