Call for nominations to the AAT Time Allocation Committee (ATAC)

On behalf of the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) Council, Astronomy Australia Limited (AAL) seeks applications for two positions on the AAT Time Allocation Committee (ATAC).

For this call, ATAC particularly seeks nominations from those with expertise in exoplanetary research, interstellar medium, and observational cosmology.

The AAT and AAL

Australia’s largest optical telescope, the 3.9m AAT at Siding Spring Observatory, is operated using funding from a consortium of eleven Australian universities (“the AAT Consortium”), and these operations are governed by the AAT Council. The telescope Operator for the Consortium is the Australian National University (ANU), with AAL playing the role of Manager of those operations on behalf of the AAT Consortium.

AAL is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, whose members are all Australian universities and research organisations with significant astronomical research capability.

ATAC

ATAC allocates time on the AAT, as well as Australian time on international telescopes as required and meets twice a year in May and November.

AAL is seeking to appoint two ATAC members with a balance of different research fields to ensure an informed and equitable allocation process. One position will commence 1 July 2024 and one position will commence 1 January 2025.

AAL is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all interested candidates with relevant expertise and skills. To achieve our gender balance targets across the committee membership, at least one of the positions will be offered to a suitable woman candidate.

The term of an ATAC member is generally for three years but may be staggered to ensure smooth turnover in membership. The current membership of ATAC can be found here.

Applications

If you consider yourself well placed to contribute to ATAC via your expertise, ideas, and experience, please email [email protected] with a maximum three-page application that includes:

• a covering letter describing your expertise relevant to the committee, particularly in relation to the areas listed above
• a brief CV
• any relevant conflicts of interest.

AAL will review all applications and make recommendations to the AAT Council for formal appointment. The review will consider relevant expertise of candidates, career stage, geographical placement, applying a selection process that addresses principles of inclusion and gender balance.

Please do not hesitate to contact Kate Barnard (ATAC Technical Secretary) at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this position.

Applications for all positions close on Friday 10th May 2024. If openings remain after all applications received and completed by the deadline have been considered, late applications will be accepted.