The International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) is a hub for coordinating astronomy public outreach activities around the world. The aim is to make it easier for the public to access information about our Universe and local and global astronomy events, while building networks to support and disseminate information to the amateur astronomy and public outreach communities. The IAU OAO is located at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), Mitaka Campus, Tokyo, Japan.

The IAU and NAOJ seek an excellent individual to join the IAU OAO. The International Outreach Coordinator (IOC) will be appointed according to the normal conditions of service of the NAOJ employees and will report formally to the Director-General of the NAOJ. This is a contract position for 3 years, including the possibility of renewal under the standard employment procedures of the NAOJ.

The successful candidate will meet the following requirements:

• An honours degree or equivalent in astronomy or a closely related field;
• Fluent in written and spoken English;
• Good communication (both written and verbal) and presentation skills;
• Good computer skills and knowledge of social networking;
• Demonstrable strategic vision, project management and financial experience;
• Proven track record in outreach activities at an international level;
• Excellent team work and interpersonal skills while working in/managing multicultural teams;
• Demonstrable volunteer network management;
• Demonstrable good time management;
• Experience in editing a journal or publication with several contributors.

Experience in fundraising and working knowledge of Japanese would also be advantageous.

The job title at NAOJ will be "Specially Appointed Senior Specialist" (full-time position, 5 days/week). The IOC will receive an annual salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, comparable to the pay scale of an assistant professor at a Japanese national university. Additional allowances like overtime allowance, commutation allowance, and travel allowance will be provided.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and full CV, including the contact details of at least three references, by email to the IAU OAO Supervising Director, Hidehiko Agata (h.agata@nao.ac.jp). The selection process will begin after 15 October, 2018.

For further information about this position please see the job description.

More Information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 10 000 professional astronomers from almost 100 countries. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

• Job description (PDF 26 KB)
• IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach

Contacts

Piero Benvenuti
General Secretary, International Astronomical Union
Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 43 25 83 58
Email: iau-general.secretary@iap.fr

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org