ALMA WSU Project Manager

Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online.

ESO is the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, 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 observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), with ESO Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and will host the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array. ESO is a major partner in ALMA and is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) on Cerro Armazones, which will become the world\\\’s biggest eye on the sky.

Due to the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU), ESO is advertising the position of Project Manager in the Project Management Department (PMD) within the Directorate of Programmes (DOP) at its Headquarters in Garching, Germany.

ESO values diversity as a strength. The PMD brings together a multi-national team of Project Managers who lead a wide range of projects to strengthen the scientific and operational capabilities of our observatories in Chile. The Project Manager will play a central role in the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) programme, broadening the ALMA receiver bandwidth by a factor of four and upgrading related electronics and the correlator. ESO supports the development of projects in Europe and collaborates with ALMA partners in East Asia, North America and Chile.

Our development projects are often executed in cooperation with European institutes and industry, with some internal development of subsystems. The Project Manager will lead complex, high-impact projects and collaborate with colleagues from diverse technical, scientific and cultural backgrounds. You will contribute to a working environment that values different perspectives and supports professional and personal growth.

The post holder will interact closely with the ALMA Development Team (ADT) within the European ALMA Support Centre (EASC) and, in collaboration with this department, oversee and manage the execution of development projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead projects to develop and deploy systems, particularly ESO\\\’s subprojects of the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade, collaborating with project scientists, engineers and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Deliver projects to the ALMA observatory and the science community meeting agreed specifications, budgets and timelines within the ESO matrix structure.
• Prepare and manage consortium agreements and industrial contracts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and actively manage stakeholder engagement inside and outside ESO.
• Guide and support matrixed team members, providing objectives and feedback to their nominated line managers per procedures and policies.
• Proactively report project progress to Programme Managers within ESO and to the ALMA observatory.
• Provide input for reporting to ESO and ALMA governing bodies and advisory committees.
• Frequently participate in project reviews as reviewer, secretary or chair.

The above responsibilities are not exhaustive; a flexible approach and willingness to adapt to operational needs are required.

Reports to:

Head of the Project Management Department.

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience:

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in developing projects, preferably relating to instrumentation development in the millimetre and radio regimes.
• Technical expertise in a relevant discipline, e.g., digital electronics or receiver technology.
• Experience with the standard PM scope of tasks: schedule, resource planning, change and risk management, and ability to lead multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Ability to monitor progress, deliver to deadlines and standards, plan activities, contribute to system design, and work under pressure.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Europe, to Chile, and to partners in North America and East Asia.
• Self-driven and collaborative, able to work as a leader or team member.
• Strong ability to build relationships across cultures and disciplines.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset for an international team.

Desirable Competences and Experience:

• Experience working with industry partners and academia/research institutions.
• Clear, concise and timely oral and written communication; ability to identify issues, options and next steps.
• Willingness to acquire new technical and interpersonal skills and to stay up-to-date with tools used daily.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking in project management; diplomatic skills for external consortia.
• A strong scientific background in a related field is an asset.
• Knowledge/experience with development, testing or operations of astronomical instruments (radio and/or (sub)millimetre) is an asset.
• Physically fit to visit sites at altitudes >5000 metres.

Qualifications:

Essential educational level:

• An advanced university degree in Project Management, Engineering or Physics or a related technical field.
• A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience or additional technical qualifications may substitute for an advanced degree.

Assets:

• Formal qualifications in project management are advantageous.

Language: A very good command of English (fluent oral, reading and writing) is essential; knowledge of German or Spanish is advantageous.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, plus relocation support.

Our Salary Structure

ESO\\\’s salary structure is based on a range of career paths with two or three grades to reflect experience.

The contract is for a fixed term of three years and may be extended subject to performance and policy. For more information, please visit ESO\\\’s conditions of employment. The contract policy and regulations are under review and may change.

Duty Station:

Garching near Munich, Germany with regular trips to ESO sites in Chile as required.

Application:

If you are interested in frontline science and technology in an international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be in English and include a motivation letter and CV. Provide three referees with contact details who can supply a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 15.10.2025. Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values

ESO values excellence through innovation, outstanding services, diversity & inclusion, and sustainability. We expect personal values of respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear and open communication from our employees. Applicants may be asked about these values in the interview.

No nationality is excluded in principle, but recruitment preference will be given to nationals of ESO 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.