The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the worldwide organisation of professional astronomers and a key component of its activities is the use of astronomy in furthering education — both in astronomy itself and in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) in general.  To this end, the IAU recently created the Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE), a joint venture with the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. The OAE is based at Haus der Astronomie in Heidelberg.

The OAE’s mission is to support and coordinate astronomy education by astronomy researchers and educators, aimed at primary or secondary schools worldwide. The OAE will organise an international network of astronomy education stakeholders, organise groups of scientists to collaborate on creating certain educational resources, facilitate and undertake a systematic evaluation of existing resources, and work towards establishing international standards of quality control and evaluation in astronomy education. Additional information can be found on the OAE’s website.

Haus der Astronomie is currently seeking to fill three positions at the newly founded OAE:

A 5-year postdoctoral position in astronomy education research at the Office of Astronomy for Education, the holder of which will serve as the OAE’s Astronomy Education Research Coordinator. The postholder will contribute to all OAE activities, in particular those that directly involve astronomy education or physics education research, and will take responsibility for suitable projects and sub-projects. Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae, publication list, a brief statement of research interests, and the contact information for no fewer than two senior scientists willing to provide a recommendation, no later than 28 February 2020. Additional information about the position and the necessary qualifications, as well as a link to the online application portal, can be found here.

The position of Organisational Assistant for the Office of Astronomy for Education. The postholder will support the work of the OAE administratively and by helping with all organisational matters that may arise, including event organisation, travel support, and organisational support for our Visiting Scientist program. Interested candidates should submit the application material by 7 February 2020. Additional information about the position and the necessary qualifications, as well as a link to the online application portal, can be found here.

A 1-year position of Interim Coordinator for the Office of Astronomy for Education. The postholder will support the work of the OAE during its first year, helping to establish the infrastructure and undertaking the scientific groundwork (survey of educational resources, survey of potential collaborators, survey of astronomy education in different countries) for the future work of the OAE. Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae and a brief statement outlining their interest and past activities in astronomy education and public outreach by 31 January 2020. Additional information about the position and the necessary qualifications, as well as a link to the online application portal, can be found here.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 13 500 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Contacts

Markus Pössel
Director, Office of Astronomy for Education
Haus der Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany
Email: oae@hda-hd.de 

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org