Group Manager

Colourful People is looking for a Group Manager for Astron.

About ASTRON

The main motivation for our astronomers is a curiosity about the structure, history, and origin of the universe, galaxies, and the stars and planets within it. At ASTRON, we use the world’s best radio telescopes: the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope and LOFAR. Our teams are involved in groundbreaking global scientific projects.

As a Group Manager, you will be working in a diverse team alongside PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and the top staff astronomers from across the country and around the world. Furthermore, at ASTRON, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible to make breakthroughs in radio astronomy a reality. Working at ASTRON, everyone is constantly at the forefront of innovation. Innovations stemming from our work benefit the regional industry and, ultimately, society as a whole.

The ASTRON offices are located in a fantastic area, right in the middle of a beautiful natural park. The ASTRON premises are a place where you’re surrounded by stunning scenery, which makes our lunch walks feel like a vacation, and where you can often see hares and deer grazing around the building.

Your team at ASTRON: the Smart Backend Group

With three major developments of great relevance to the Smart Backend Group, we have challenging work and exciting projects in store. These include the construction of a Science Data Center (SDC), a major upgrade of the International LOFAR telescope, and contributing to the construction of the SKA telescope in collaboration with a team of industry partners.

The Smart Backend group plays a central role in these efforts, collaborating with the Smart Frontend group, the Software Delivery group, internal and external astronomers, and the group responsible for telescope operations.

Your Job

As Group Manager, you will be responsible for managing and inspiring our Smart Backend team of approximately twenty researchers, engineers, and scientific software developers. The department consists of five groups that together are responsible for all technological innovation within ASTRON: from antenna design to monitoring and control software for our telescopes, and from system engineering to data processing and analysis tools.

You will be responsible for the strategic and tactical direction of the group, including methodology, expertise, and working practices, both now and in the future. In addition, you will:

• Initiate and coordinate innovation through the Technology Roadmap;
• Organize strategic collaborations with external industry and scientific partners;
• Assist in securing new projects in line with our goals;
• Are responsible for the operational aspects of the group, including financial management, resource planning, and human resources management;
• Work closely with the other Group Managers and program managers to jointly determine actions and decisions, maintaining direct lines of communication with the ASTRON Management Team;
• Actively participate in the I&S management team, which is responsible for all technological innovation within ASTRON.

An inclusive workplace

ASTRON is committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce and is continuously working to create a safe and inclusive workplace. NWO-I and ASTRON strive for a diverse workforce: we want to foster talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select based on competencies and talents. Therefore, we encourage anyone who feels the position is a good fit, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation, or disability, to apply.

Your Profile

As a Group Manager, you are a strong strategic thinker who enjoys working with highly skilled and motivated experts in scientific computing and digital signal processing toward a shared vision, making a significant impact. As a strong communicator, you enjoy serving as the link between R&D groups, operational staff, and astronomers to ensure the group’s success and maximize expertise. Furthermore, you bring:

• A master’s degree or PhD;
• Work experience in computer science or a related field, preferably in the areas of scientific algorithms, high-performance computing, or software engineering;
• The ability to communicate effectively and build partnerships is essential;
• You have experience in a leadership role within a high-tech or scientific development environment and a strong drive to guide your team to excel in resolving the most challenging and urgent bottlenecks in data processing;
• A keen eye for the latest technologies and a drive to evaluate their applicability to cutting-edge scientific problems;
• Also, you take the initiative, take ownership, and demonstrate your creativity;
• You speak Dutch at the B2 level or are willing to learn it.

The Offer

At ASTRON, you’ll find an inspiring, innovative, pleasant, and challenging work environment with an international and inclusive work culture. In addition, we offer:

• The combination of astronomy, operations, and engineering under one roof;
• The opportunity and resources to grow and develop in this role;
• A temporary position of 32–38 hours per week with the Netherlands Foundation for Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for a total of 2 years, which will become permanent based on satisfactory performance;
• A gross monthly salary on a full-time basis, ranging from €6,232 to €7,398, depending on relevant experience;
• A vacation allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.33% of the gross annual salary;
• A competitive benefits package, including a pension plan, a discount on health insurance, and a travel expense reimbursement program;
• Flexible employment terms tailored to your personal situation, generous relocation benefits, assistance with finding housing, and support in finding a suitable job for your partner;
• The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labor Agreement for Research Institutions.

The Procedure

ASTRON is being assisted in this recruitment process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more

For more information, please contact Henna Seedorf, Partner at Colourful People, at 06-24274368. You can

Apply by uploading your cover letter and resume via the Colourful People website. The deadline

is December 18, 2023.^First and^second round interviews will take place from January¹⁵ to²⁶, 2024. An assessment may be part of the application process.

We do not welcome unsolicited approaches regarding this opening