Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Job Type: Research
Salary: £27,511 - £32,816 per annum
Vacancy Type: Academic / Research Vacancies
Closing Date: 14/04/2020
Ref No: 2945
Documents: JD 2945 National Schools’ Observatory (NSO) Development and Marketing Officer.pdf (PDF, 247.16kb)

The National Schools' Observatory (NSO) are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and adaptable team member to join the NSO project as Development and Marketing Officer. The position will include leading the NSO teaching training programme and developing educational materials for the NSO.

The NSO is a major educational website, established by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to provide UK and Irish schools with access to a professional robotic telescope primarily designed for scientific research, called the Liverpool Telescope. The NSO aims to attract, inspire and enthuse children about science and technology through the medium of astronomy guided by our drive to provide "Access to the Universe for All".

You will lead support for and training of teachers who use the NSO, and support the growth of the project through marketing and fundraising efforts. They will also contribute to the core offer of the NSO by working with the rest of the NSO team and astrophysics researchers to devise, develop and evaluate educational materials for a range of ages and subject areas. Duties may also include organisation and participation in departmental outreach and public engagement activities and liaising with local schools.

You will have an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education initiatives and will be educated to degree level or equivalent. They will also have a keen interest in astronomy, and experience of school level education, whether in the classroom or a less formal environment.

Good computer literacy is desirable and communication skills will be important, not only for day to day work within the team, but for efficient interaction with stakeholders, especially teachers and students using the website.

There will a requirement to travel within the UK and possibly internationally to represent the NSO and more widely the Astrophysics Research Institute and LJMU.

LJMU values diversity and provides a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can fulfil their potential.

You will need to display a commitment to promoting equality and diversity, which both the National Schools' Observatory, and the Astrophysics Research Institute, are passionate about, having received the Institute of Physics Juno Practitioner award. We encourage applications from all people, especially from those underrepresented in the fields of teaching, STEM and astrophysics.

Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Andy Newsam, NSO Director by email a.newsam@ljmu.ac.uk.

Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.