Deputy Representative in Chile

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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.

Due to the need for additional resources at the Representation Office, within the Executive Office of the Director General in Santiago de Chile, ESO is advertising an International staff position of

The ESO Representation Office in Chile formally represents ESO and its Director General in all matters and relations with Chilean governmental, regional and local authorities where ESO facilities and observatory sites are located, as well as with the diplomatic missions representing ESO Member States in Chile. It also coordinates the representation of ESO\’s political and legal interests in Chile and promote the positive relationship of ESO with Chile as a whole. Its main duty is to foster the relationship with Chile by consolidating and moving forward the engagement between ESO and Chile. It is responsible for proposing, implementing and monitoring ESO\’s strategy in Chile aimed to secure the necessary conditions for ESO\’s long-term operational success in the country. The Deputy Representative will support the ESO Representative in the following core areas:

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Selected candidate will be working closely with the ESO Representative to help fostering the relationship and the engagement between ESO and Chile. They will coordinate and execute ESO institutional efforts to protect ESO observatory sites in Chile and secure the necessary conditions for ESO\’s long-term operational success in the country. Furthermore, their main responsibilities will include:

• Support ESO\’s observatory site protection activities, co ordinating and conducting national and local political and engagement actions in Chile for that purpose; organize the ESO-Chile Comité Mixto for dark skies protection; assist in any other tasks related to observatory site protection in liaison with other internal stakeholders.
• Assist in the management and follow-up of cooperation agreements with the Chilean government and international organisations.
• Identify new scientific and technical cooperation opportunities that highlight ESO as a valuable partner for regional development.
• Assist the Representative in planning, organising, and hosting high-level visits to ESO premises in Chile.
• Assist in maintaining close working relationships with the diplomatic missions of ESO Member States in Chile, in support of the ESO Representative.
• Support the Representative in maintaining a constructive and ongoing dialogue with the Chilean astronomy community, in close collaboration with the ESO Office for Science. Contribute to the development of engagement strategies aimed at strengthening Chile\’s relation with ESO and its leadership as a host country for world-class astronomical facilities. Promote initiatives that align with ESO\’s mission and support the sustainable growth of astronomy in Chile.

The role will involve engagement with the astronomical research community and, subject to time availability, engaging in research activities.

Reports to:

ESO Representative in Chile

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience

• Evidence of an objective and enquiring mind, together with a reserved temperament and balanced judgement;
• Diplomatic skills and discretion;
• Proven capacity of providing clear, concise and timely oral and written communications, identifying the key issues, examining options and proposing the way ahead;
• Proven experience in building strong collaborative working relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines;
• Capability of working in different activities under pressure;
• Flexibility in adapting to changes of requirements and priorities as well as of assignments;
• Experience in monitoring progress of own work and delivering to agreed deadlines and standards.
• Friendly attitude towards engaging with Chilean society at large, while maintaining strict neutrality on political matters internal to Chile.

Desirable Competences and Experience

• At least ten years of professional experience in scientific, technical or other areas related to astronomyHaving worked in international and culturally diverse environments.
• The maintenance of an up-to-date knowledge of astronomical research, particularly in those fields in which ESO is making significant contributions, would be an asset.
• Familiarity with the Chilean socio-political and scientific environment.

Qualifications:

• University Degree preferably in Natural Sciences, Engineering or equivalent qualification, preferably in an astronomy-related area. A PhD degree will be considered as an asset.
• The position requires spoken and written fluency in the English and Spanish languages. Working knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family.

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.

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:

ESO Offices in Santiago de Chile, with regular trips to all ESO sites in Chile.

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/ . Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 14 November 2025.

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.

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.