Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) (Reg. Nr. 90000362426, address: Inženieru street 101, Ventspils) solicits applications for the position of the ERA Chair Holder for Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC).

The prime responsibility of the ERA Chair holder is implementation of the project HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-01. This is a fixed term appointment for the duration of the project - 5 years, with a possibility to extend the contract after the end of the project. It is desirable for the candidate to participate in the development of projects, as it is mandatory to include the prospective candidate in the project proposal. The deadline of project application is 15 March 2022.

Job Description

ERA Chair holder will be engaged for the duration of the project (5 years) as a Strategic Counsellor at Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS), Latvia. As such, ERA Chair holder will lead his/her own permanent and excellent research group in the space scientific fields to ensure excellence, visibility and better integration in the European Research Area and in the European Space Industry, as well as fostering competitiveness in research funding and promoting institutional reforms aligned with ERA priorities. The main task of the ERA Chair holder and the group is development of the VIRAC roadmap aimed at achieving the project goals, attaining required institutional changes and developing structural measures for effective and efficient use of the resources (personnel, infrastructure, financing) available at the VIRAC. This ERA Chair holder will act toward attracting public financing from the EU, national and private funding sources; to ensure stable and predictable flow of projects, and to enable full exploitation of the VIRAC’s research infrastructure. The goal of the Strategic Counsellor activity is to work out a multi-level organisational structure, involving departments, laboratories, research and engineering groups and enabling the VIRAC to achieve the highest efficiency of research and engineering projects’ implementation.

For the duration of the project, ERA Chair holder will work within the legal framework of the Constitution of the VUAS and the Statutes (Regulation) of the VIRAC, providing advice to VIRAC’s decision-making bodies (the Scientific Council and the Director). He/she, in consultation with the Project Management team (incl. VIRAC director), Advisory Board and Rector of VUAS, will be entitled to hire according experts required for implementation of the project who will be supported from the project’s budget. Willingness to collaborate with members of other groups at the VUAS and its external partners is expected of the ERA Chair holder.

VUAS will provide administrative aid for the development of a VIRAC roadmap. It is expected that ERA Chair holder will facilitate her/his team and collaborate with other VIRAC staff members in particular in working out applications for external research grants. It is expected that the:

• ERA Chair holder, together with VIRAC director will be co-responsible for dissemination of the results and public outreach;
• ERA Chair holder will become an advisor of the VIRAC director.

The successful candidate will be given:

• fixed term contract for 5 years;
• a competitive salary at the level comparable to that of senior faculty of a leading EU university;
• health insurance coverage.

Astronomy in VIRAC

VIRAC is a research institute with ~30 scientific employees. VIRAC is a full member of the following networks: ILT (International LOFAR telescope), EVN (European VLBI network). VIRAC represents Latvia as a member of the Joint Institute for VLBI – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (JIV-ERIC). Latvia is a European Space Agency (ESA) European Cooperating State. Major observational facilities of the institute include the recently launched LOFAR station and two radio telescopes, RT-16 and RT-32, operating at centimetre and decimeter wavelengths in single-dish and VLBI modes.

VIRAC is located in Ventspils, a family-friendly municipality with various possibilities both for families and individuals. It is a place with high standards of living and reasonable living costs, located on the coast of Baltic Sea three hours driving away from the capital of Latvia Riga and the Riga International Airport.

More information about Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre can be found at the official website: https://www.virac.eu/en.

Position requirements

A prospective successful candidate:



• holds a Master’s degree or equivalent and is an excellent researcher and/or innovator in physics, astronomy, electronics, radioastronomy or other relevant engineering and space areas for no less than ten years;
• advantages for applicants with PhD degree or equivalent;
• fulfils conditions specified in the European Framework for Research Careers for 

Established researcher no less than at the (R3) I level, including:

o   a proven international research and/or innovation experience,

o   an international reputation based on research excellence,

o   a proven record in securing research funding and experience in managing and leading a research group for no less than ten years;

• experience in international cooperation;
• at least ten-year experience in science and/or technology management;
• fluent written and oral communication skills in English;

Applications including a detailed curriculum vitae, brief description of current research and other activities, accomplishments and representative publications should be sent directly to the VUAS Personnel Department - personals@venta.lv. All documents should be in English language.

VUAS is committed to employment equality (esp. European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers) and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates fulfilling requirements specified in this announcement.