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, and 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.
The Office of the Director General at ESO is opening the position of Ombuds.
The Ombuds shall provide independent and confidential assistance to the informal resolution of work-related inter-personal disputes. The Ombuds shall serve all members of personnel of ESO and all staff working at the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) in Chile. In addition, any person working at or on behalf of ESO has access to the Ombuds, if it is compatible with the individual status and employment relationship of the person concerned. The Ombuds shall identify and assess any broad systemic issues within the Organisation and shall give reports on them to the Director General (or to the ALMA Director in the case of JAO) along with recommendations to improve the policies, procedures, systems, and structures, without breaching the strict confidentiality. The Ombuds will have free and unrestricted access to the ESO Council President, with whom they will meet no less than once per year to report any systemic issues.
The Ombuds will have a direct line of communication to but will not report to the ESO Director General (or to the ALMA Director in the case of JAO) or any other party within or external to the organisation.
The position requires full fluency in both English and Spanish (written and oral).
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family. ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families. The contract is for a fixed term duration of five years (non-renewable), and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. Upon completion of the service as Ombuds, the postholder shall separate from ESO and shall not be eligible for other employment with the Organisation.
For any further information, please visit ESO's https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/.
Santiago, Chile with frequent visits to the various observatories in Chile. A minimum duration of three months per year is to be spent at the ESO headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany.
Career Path: V
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. 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 2 june 2023.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
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.
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.
Please visit for further details: https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/.
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.