ELT Programme Scientist

Job Details

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 ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39 metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.

Within the Directorate for Science at its Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is advertising the position of an
ELT Programme Scientist
.

The ELT Programme Scientist provides the overall scientific leadership for the ELT and its suite of instruments. The role encompasses all scientific aspects of the ELT Construction Programme, covering the telescope itself, and the development of its instruments under the ESO Instrumentation Programme. A key responsibility is to ensure strategic and scientific alignment between these two programmes. The Programme Scientist is charged with developing strategies to maximize the scientific performance of both the telescope and its instruments currently under development, shaping plans for future instrumentation, advising operations, and overseeing telescope and instruments commissioning and science verification. In addition, the Programme Scientist serves as the primary interface between the ELT, the instrument Consortia, and the broader user community. By closely monitoring the evolving scientific priorities of the community within the rapidly advancing landscape of astronomical facilities projected for the 2030s and beyond, the Programme Scientist ensures that the ELT delivers world-leading optical and infrared capabilities to drive major astrophysical discoveries. We are seeking an experienced senior scientist with a strong technical background to provide authoritative scientific leadership and advice across both the ELT telescope Construction and Instrumentation Programmes, in coordination with the other ESO Programme Scientists (VLT, VLTI, ALMA, CTA) to enable scientific synergies.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership to the ELT Construction Programme and ensure that the telescope will be scientifically exploited to the best of its capabilities;
• Guide the scientific development of ELT instruments through sound scientific leadership within the ESO Instrumentation Programme, helping ensure they meet their science goals;
• Act as a strategic and scientific connector between the Telescope and its suite of Instruments across both Programmes, ensuring that their combined performance offers the highest possible scientific return;
• Oversee and maintain the ELT Observatory Top Level Requirements, working closely with the ELT Construction Programme Manager to ensure these are integrated throughout the construction phase;
• Collaborate closely with the Instrumentation Programme Manager to maintain, evolve and develop the ELT Instrumentation Plan;
• Provide advice to the Instrumentation Programme Manager to ensure that the necessary design trade-offs made on the Programme are carried out within an appropriate science-driven context. Provide science-based guidance on design decisions, helping to set clear and balanced scientific priorities in this context;
• Lead the scientific verification of the telescope performance and the commissioning and science verification of the instruments;
• Engage with the Community to optimise the usage of ESO optical and near-infrared telescopes, together with other ESO Programme Scientists;
• Prepare and give briefings to communicate progress and challenges to ESO governing bodies and committees as needed;
• Inform the Director for Science about ELT developments, challenges and scientific productivity;
• Support public engagement and outreach, in collaboration with the Communication Department, helping make the scientific goals and results of the ELT and its instruments accessible and inspiring to a diverse audience.

As a member of the ESO Astronomy Faculty, the ELT Programme Scientist is expected and encouraged to conduct an active astronomical research programme on a 50/50 basis.

Reports to
: Director for Science

Key Competences And Experience
Essential Competences and Experience

• Ability to think strategically, taking a long-term perspective and openness to new ideas, challenges and anticipating future needs or trends;
• Experience in supporting and leading geographically dispersed, multicultural and interdisciplinary teams, with an inclusive and respectful approach to team dynamics;
• Experience collaborating to develop shared visions and scientific strategies for the future, both within ESO and the wider astronomical community;
• In-depth knowledge of astrophysical instrumentation, along with experience in facility commissioning and operations;
• Ability to inspire and support others, fostering a positive and motivating team environment;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and constructively, and to facilitate informed decision-making;
• A proactive approach to constructively suggest improvements to established ways of working to create positive change;
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills, allowing to effectively communicate and establish trust at all levels within the organization, the instrument Consortia and with the community;
• A strong record of personal research achievements, demonstrating international recognition appropriate to the career stage in optical and near-infrared astrophysics research;
• Willingness to spend considerable time in Chile during ELT Commissioning.

Desirable Competences And Experience

• Experience in project leadership including familiarity with project management principles and/or experience contributing to complex, multi-stakeholder scientific projects;
• Experience in community liaison and/or community leadership;
• Understanding of science policy, funding structures, or strategic planning in large-scale research organisations;
• Ability to navigate between technical, scientific, and organisational priorities, and to find common ground among diverse perspectives;
• Experience with the ELT and its operational aspects.

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy, physics or equivalent.

Language Skills
The position requires a full working knowledge of English, both oral and written.

Remuneration And Contract
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in day care.

Our Salary Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

Please follow this attached link for more details

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance ) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support ), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment ). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station
Garching near Munich, Germany, with regular duty travel to ESO sites in Chile. During the ELT commissioning phase, the requirements of the position will likely oblige the postholder to spend substantial periods of time in Chile.

Career Path
: VI

Application
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV containing a publication list, and a research plan of two pages. Also required are the names and contact details of three scientists familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter. Referees will be automatically invited to submit a recommendation letter. However, applicants are strongly advised to trigger these invitations (using the web application form) well in advance of the application deadline.

Deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO Values Are

• ESO strives for excellence through innovation;
• ESO provides outstanding services to its communities;
• ESO fosters diversity & inclusion;
• ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees:
respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication
.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit for further details.

Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.