Category: Observation

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Space Science Department
City: Madrid and Noordwijk
Category: , , , ,
Country: Spain and Netherlands
Contact Person: Guido De Marchi
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency (Spain and Netherlands)
Application Due Date: Sunday, October 31 2021
Web Link: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc).

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications by PhD students are also welcome.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 1 November 2021 will be considered for visits in spring/summer 2022.

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to:

[email protected] 

ESA Research Fellowships in Space Science

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Directorate of Science
City: Noordwijk (Netherlands), Madrid (Spain), Baltimore (USA)
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Yannis Zouganelis
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency
Application Due Date: Monday, September 27 2021
Web Link: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships

We are pleased to inform you about the opening of the call for European Space Agency’s Research Fellowships in Space Science. The call is opening on 30 August 2021 with an application deadline on 27 September 2021. 

ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early career scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. Research Fellowships in Space Science specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA’s endeavour to explore our Solar System and the Universe, and cover the fields of heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. 

The research fellowships offer a unique insight into ESA’s environment and activities while conducting cutting edge research. Mentoring and training opportunities are available, as are possibilities to engage with ESA science-related activities (e.g., archive/data science, operations, calibration, communication, citizen science). 

Approximately 12 ESA Fellowships in Space Science (SCI) will be offered this year, to join the pool of about 25 Research Fellows. Within the Science Directorate (SCI), we welcome all independent proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions. The Space Science fellowships can be taken up at any of the three sites ESAC (Spain), ESTEC (Netherlands) or STScI (USA) and we encourage applicants to choose sites that allow for best local collaborations. To learn more about the research conducted by the ESA scientists at different sites, please visit the Faculty Member Directory and the pages for the Faculty research groups. There is a separate page for research at the ESA Office at STScI (see also the research of non-ESA scientists at STScI). 

Duration: Appointments are for a maximum of three years. The initial project is for two years. An extension for a third year requires a dedicated proposal and is frequently granted.

Eligibility: Citizens of ESA Member States or of cooperating and associated countries. 

More information on the Research Fellowship programme and on how to apply 

can be found at  https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships 

Deadline for applications is 27 September 2021. 

JWST Solar System PostDoc at Observatoire de Paris

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: LESIA
City: Paris
Category: , , , ,
Country: France
Contact Person: Emmanuel Lellouch
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Observatoire de Paris
Application Due Date: Friday, October 01 2021
Web Link: https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/52b1806c

Applications are open for a Postdoctoral Research position within the planetary science group of LESIA at Observatoire de Paris, France. The position is in relation with the Early Release Science (ERS) Program on JWST “Observations of the Jovian System as a Demonstration of JWST’s Capabilities for Solar System Science’’, to which LESIA is associated through co-PI and co-I ships . JWST is expected to be launched in the fall of 2021, and a fraction of this ERS program will be devoted to the study of the tenuous atmo/exospheres of Io and Ganymede with MIRI and NIRSpec. In particular, Io’s atmosphere will be studied from observing of SO2 gas at 8.6 and 7.3 μm, and Ganymede’s exosphere will be targeted through fluorescent emissions from H2O (6.5 μm), CO (4.65 μm), and CO2 (4.25 μm). The analysis of the data will require the development of tailored non-LTE models for these molecular features, coupled with physical (temperature, densities) models of the two objects. The successful applicant will participate in the development of a versatile non-LTE code applicable to both objects. He/she will also be involved in data reduction, modelling, and interpretation, after data are acquired (nominally in June-August 2022). Experience in radiative transfer is required, and preference will be given to applicants with experience with non-LTE aspects.

The position is available for two years, starting anytime between Oct. 01, 2021 and February 01, 2022. Gross salary will be about 3200 Euros/months. Applications will be considered as they come and welcome until Oct. 01, 2021.

Open Rank (Tenure-Track/Tenured) Faculty Position in Space Physics at UCLA

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
City: Los Angeles
State/Province: CA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Emmanuel Masongsong
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: UCLA
Application Due Date: Sunday, October 31 2021
Web Link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06572

Open Rank (Tenure-Track/Tenured) Faculty Position in Space Physics at UCLA

The UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences (EPSS) invites applications for a tenure-track/tenured faculty position in Space Physics at any rank/level. We encourage applicants from all sub-disciplines of space physics to apply, but we are particularly interested in candidates in the area of experimental space physics pertaining to the interaction of small solar system bodies, moons, or planets with solar winds or flowing plasmas (e.g., at asteroids, Mars, Uranus, or Galilean satellites). We welcome applicants whose experience in research, teaching, and community/collegial service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to excellence and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Candidates are expected to hold a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field by the date of hire, July 1, 2022.

EPSS is a vibrant and collaborative department with faculty interested in planetary, geology, geochemistry, geophysics, paleobiology, and space physics. Space physics research and education at UCLA spans several departments, including faculty in the Departments of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences and Physics & Astronomy in addition to EPSS. These departments have active research programs in physics of the solar wind, inner and outer magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics (with connections to the neutral atmosphere), and space weather, utilizing numerical simulations, laboratory experiments, space-based and ground-based platforms. The ability of applicants to complement, and further contribute to UCLA’s long-standing strength in space physics will be a consideration in evaluation in addition to their commitment to enhancing the diversity of EPSS faculty members, graduate student population, and majors within the field.

To apply, candidates must submit (a) a cover letter, (b) CV, (c) statement of research, (d) statement of teaching, (e) statement of contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, (f) writing samples, and (g) the names of three – five individuals familiar with the candidate’s work who can serve as references.

Applications will be accepted via the UC Recruit web site at https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06572  beginning September 1, 2021 and reviews of submitted applications will commence on November 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. The target start date is July 1, 2022.

UCLA has programs to assist in partner employment, childcare, schooling and other family concerns. For additional information, visit the UCLA Academic Personnel Office website or the UC Office of the President’s website.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.

Staff Scientist at NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI)

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: IPAC
City: Pasadena
State/Province: California
Category: , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: David Ciardi & Jessie Christiansen
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Caltech
Application Due Date: Wednesday, April 21 2021
Web Link: https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/758f2252

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world’s brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

IPAC at Caltech is accepting applications for a scientist to work at the NASA Exoplanet Archive, within the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute. As a scientist at IPAC you will work with a vibrant team of scientists and developers to populate and improve how the NASA Exoplanet Archive serves and visualizes exoplanet atmospheric data, while carrying out your own research program.

IPAC at Caltech
IPAC is located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, as well as a thriving community of curious and passionate people who collaborate to understand and solve complex scientific and societal challenges. Caltech also operates large-scale research facilities such as the Palomar Observatory, Keck Observatory, and LIGO, which in 2016 observed gravitational waves from colliding black holes for the first time. Caltech is an award-winning workplace and one of the best places to work in the greater Los Angeles area. IPAC staff have access to the Institute’s facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership. As a scientist at IPAC you will have access to institutional observing resources at Palomar Observatory and Las Cumbres Observatory. We offer an exciting and dynamic environment, exceptional career development opportunities, competitive pay programs, great benefits, and the opportunity to participate in many campus programs and activities. We seek the best and brightest talent to join our workforce and become members of our community. Exceptional employees are the key to Caltech’s remarkable success.

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI)
As a part of IPAC, the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI; nexsci.caltech.edu) provides science operations, analysis tools and archive services related to the discovery and characterization of planets beyond our solar system (exoplanets) using data from observatories in space and on the ground. NExScI operates the NASA Exoplanet Archive which is the premiere exoplanet catalog and is seeking a scientist to help guide the expansion of the Exoplanet Archive to serve and visualize exoplanet atmospheric data. Together IPAC and NExScI support more than 20 astronomy missions which have made or will make major contributions in exoplanet science, astrophysics and cosmology. These include past missions such as Spitzer, Kepler; and WISE, on-going missions such as NEOWISE, TESS and the 10 m Keck telescopes, and future missions such as the Roman Space Telescope, ESA’s ARIEL and EUCLID projects, and the SPHEREx Explorer.

NASA’s Exoplanet Archive is a key component of NExScI and is NASA’s official repository of confirmed exoplanets. The Exoplanet Archive is used by researchers worldwide and provides an integrated interface of exoplanet system parameters published in the literature and produced by missions such as CoRoT, Kepler, K2, and TESS. The Exoplanet Archive is a dynamic service that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the exoplanetary astrophysics community with an ever increasing set of holdings on new planets, survey data, and mission products relevant to exoplanet discovery and characterization. The data and interfaces used continue to evolve and expand, and the Exoplanet Archive is seeking a motivated scientist to help guide the Archive in the development of new visualization environments for exoplanet atmospheric data. You will have a role as part of the Exoplanet Archive team in creating and expanding this vibrant environment for exoplanet researchers.

NExScI at IPAC is part of an active scientific atmosphere as part of Caltech and associated with JPL as well as being embedded in the Southern California environment.  As a member of this scientific community, you are encouraged to have an independent research program in exoplanet and/or planetary science.

Job Duties

  • Work with the NASA Exoplanet Archive team of scientists and developers to identify new exoplanet datasets related to atmospheric characterization and to define and develop new tools, capabilities, and interfaces for users to visualize and interact with exoplanet atmospheric data.
  • Work with the Exoplanet Archive team to identify and ingest new exoplanet systems into the archive
  • Carry out a research program related to exoplanet science
  • Network and build relationships with the wider exoplanet and planetary science communities

Basic Qualifications

  • PhD in Planetary Science, Astronomy, or related discipline
  • Strong oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to work well with others on a small team
  • Comprehensive knowledge of exoplanet detection and characterization techniques

Preferred Qualifications

These are a set of skills and experiences which will add to your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of the position. The following attributes would make you a better fit for this position, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you.

  • Experience with exoplanet atmosphere characterization techniques
  • Experience with python and scripting

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • List of three professional references

People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and lasting relationships. IPAC staff have access to the Institute’s benefits programs, facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.

Depending on start date, an initial remote working arrangement may be considered for up to six months.

You can also find the position listed on Caltech’s website here.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at [email protected]. 

Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Selection Deadline: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Current Status of Position: Accepting Applicants

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

Posted on
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Space Science & Operations
City: Madrid or Noordwijk
Category: , , , ,
Country: Spain or Netherlands
Contact Person: Guido De Marchi
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency
Application Due Date: Friday, April 30 2021
Web Link: http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc). 

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. PhD students are also welcome to apply through their supervisors.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 30 April 2021 will be considered for visits in autumn/winter (2021/2022).

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to:

http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

or write to the programme coordinators at [email protected] 

Postdoctoral Fellow Cometary Atmospheres

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Current state: Approved
Department: Physics Department
City: Aurburn
State/Province: AL
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Dennis Bodewits
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Auburn University
Application Due Date: Sunday, November 15 2020
Web Link: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/19536

Post-doctoral research position in the Physics Department at Auburn University

The Physics Department at Auburn University invites applicants for a post-doctoral research position within the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics group in the field of cometary atmospheres.

The successful candidate will analyze observations of comets acquired with instruments onboard space telescopes, including the Chandra X-ray observatory, the Neil Gehrels-Swift Observatory, and the new NICER instrument onboard the International Space Station. The goal of this project is to connect results from laboratory experiments conducted at Auburn and elsewhere with remote observations and models of comets and their interaction with the solar wind, and to identify atomic and molecular processes that alter the inner coma.

Familiarity with planetary science and/or atomic and molecular physics is preferred.  Substantial familiarity with a commonly-used scientific programming language (e.g. Python, Matlab, IDL) is highly desirable.

The contact for this activity is Prof. Dennis Bodewits ([email protected]).

The College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University located in Auburn AL (http://www.auburn.edu/cosam) is seeking candidates for the position of postdoctoral fellow in the sciences and mathematics.  From time-to-time, postdoctoral positions become available under a variety of research grants and projects in the college.  We are seeking applications from individuals with a PhD in any one area such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, geosciences, or related fields.  The candidates selected for these positions must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment, and must possess excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.  The position is available as a three-year, full-time 12-month appointment, with renewal possible based on performance, need, and/or funding for a maximum of four years.  These are non-tenure-track positions.  Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.  Review of applications will begin November 15th, 2020 and continue throughout the year as the positions become available.  Please upload curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, along with a list of three references and contact information at:  https://www.auemployment.com/postings/19536

Auburn University is an EEO/Vet/Disability Employer and committed to building a diverse and inclusive community.

Research Fellowships in Space Sciences & Exploration

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
City: Noordwijk
Category: , , , ,
Country: The Netherlands
Contact Person: Ana M. Heras
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency
Application Due Date: Thursday, October 29 2020
Web Link: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/science-faculty/research-fellowship

ESA‘s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers young scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. Research Fellowships in Space Science & Exploration specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA‘s endeavour to explore our Solar System and the Universe in the fields of human and robotic exploration, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics.

Research Fellows also help foster a lively scientific environment in the directorates, inspiring ESA scientists to get involved in new scientific activities. The Research Fellowship programme nurtures and strengthens the links between ESA and the scientific communities in the Member States.

Approximately 9 ESA Fellowships in Space Science and 9 in Human and Robotic Exploration will be offered this year, to join the pool of about 30 Research Fellows in the two Directorates (Science and Human and Robotic Exploration).

This year, the Directorate for Human and Robotic Exploration is interested in Research Fellows working on various specific projects with brief descriptions under: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/science-faculty/hre. ​​​​These Fellowships are offered at ESTEC, EAC, or ECSAT.

Within the Directorate of Science, we are welcoming all proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions. These Fellowships can be taken at any of the three sites: ESAC, ESTEC, or STScI. To learn more about the research conducted by the Directorate’s scientists, please visit the Science Faculty site.

Duration: Appointments are initially for two years, with a third year extension frequently granted.

Eligibility: Only citizens of ESA Member States or countries associated with ESA are eligible.

JPL Postdoctoral Fellow

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Planetary Interiors and Geophysics
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Catherine Elder
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Application Due Date: Saturday, April 25 2020
Web Link: https://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-11715-Understanding-lunar-surface-processes-using-LRO-Diviner

The postdoctoral research associate will work with Dr. Catherine Elder to study lunar surface processes using a combination of thermal modeling and observations by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (Diviner). Diviner observations can constrain the material properties of the lunar surface and shallow subsurface which leads to a better understanding of the geologic history of the Moon. Topics of particular interest include volcanism, regolith formation and evolution, and impact processes. The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor and others, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Candidates should have a recent PhD in planetary science, physics, geology, or a related field. Candidates should have experience with numerical modeling and a strong background in physics. Experience using remote sensing data is preferred but not required. Candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years since the date of their application are eligible. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years.

Emirates Mars Mission Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Posted on
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Varies
City: Varies
State/Province: Varies
Category: , , ,
Country: USA/France & UAE
Contact Person: Dave Brain
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: One of 8 EMM science team institutions and Khalifa University
Application Due Date: Tuesday, March 17 2020
Web Link: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=24229

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) science team and Khalifa University (KU) are inviting applications for up to 5 postdoctoral research fellowship positions. We seek candidates interested in spacecraft observations and models of the Martian atmosphere (including the upper atmosphere) relevant to EMM observations. EMM will launch in July 2020 and arrive at Mars in early 2021, and carries an imaging system with several visible and UV bandpasses (EXI), a thermal IR spectrometer (EMIRS), and a UV imaging spectrometer (EMUS). Examples of science topics that postdocs may pursue include, but are not limited to:

  • Thermal structure of the lower Martian atmosphere
  • Clouds and aerosols in the Martian atmosphere
  • Atmospheric variability on diurnal, daily, and seasonal timescales
  • Vertical transport in the Martian atmosphere
  • Structure and composition of the Martian thermosphere
  • The hydrogen and oxygen exosphere of Mars
  • Thermal and photochemical escape from the Martian atmosphere
  • General Circulation Modeling of the Martian atmosphere (including upper atmosphere)

The fellowship is initially for two years, and renewable for up to one additional year. Postdocs will split their time each year between a host institution affiliated with the EMM science team (University of Colorado Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, and Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique in Paris), and KU in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. While at KU the postdocs will continue their EMM research and participate in the formation of a new space science and technology center. It is anticipated that one or more of the postdocs may be able to transition to a tenure-track faculty position at KU during or after the postdoc period.

Applicants should have met the requirements for a Ph.D. in planetary science, atmospheric physics, or a related field by the end of May 2020. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with initial review starting March 17.

We recognize that the effectiveness and creativity of a group is strengthened by contributions from a broad range of perspectives. As such, we welcome candidates from groups that are historically underrepresented in our field.

For more information about EMM please see: https://www.mbras.ae/EMM

For more information about Khalifa University please see: https://www.ku.ac.ae/

For questions please contact: [email protected]

Applicants should submit a letter of interest, a C.V., and the names of three references to https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=24229.