​AAL is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee whose Members are all Australian universities and research organisations with a significant astronomy research capability. Its core business is to manage programmes which provide astronomers with access to national astronomy infrastructure.
 
AAL finances a range of research infrastructure projects from Australian Government funding and supports Australian engagement with various international observatories. The AAL Board, appointed by the Members, oversees the progress of these projects.
 
At the conclusion of the AAL AGM on 28 November 2018, the terms of Prof Matthew Bailes, Dr Rosalind Dubs and Prof Rachel Webster will expire creating three vacancies on the Board. The AAL constitution requires the Members to seek a Board that collectively has experience in 

• Astronomical research broadly consistent with, ‘Australia in the era of global astronomy: The decadal plan for Australian astronomy 2016–2025’;
• Research collaboration at the national and international level;
• National research policy and priorities;
• Business administration and finance;
• Corporate governance and legal matters; and
• Strategy formulation and implementation

 
To complement the skills and expertise of the ongoing Directors, the AAL nominations committee is particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate significant experience in managing (at an executive level) or overseeing (at a Board level) one or more of the following areas:

• Data intensive science and/or computationally intensive research;
• Space science;
• Radio astronomy;
• Relationship management with government departments; and,
• Corporate governance and legal matters. 

 
In addition to the above, the majority of the Board must have conducted research in astronomy or a related field. To fulfil this final requirement, at least one of the vacancies must be filled by an individual who has conducted research in astronomy or a related field.
Note: Prof Bailes, Dr Dubs and Prof Webster are entitled to apply for re-election.
 
Applications
If you consider yourself well placed to contribute to the Board via your expertise and ideas, and share AAL’s vision of wanting Australian astronomers to have access to the best research infrastructure, please email Astronomy Australia Ltd with a maximum two A4 page application with:

• a brief CV,
• your expertise for each of the required areas of skills and experience listed above, 
• any relevant conflicts of interest.

AAL is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.
 
The deadline for applications is 9 October 2018 at 8pm AEDT.  Late applications will not be accepted.
 
Applications will be reviewed by the Nomination Committee. This committee will make nominations to the AAL Members for consideration at the AGM.
 
Queries can be made to either Mr Mark McAuley, Chief Executive Officer, 03 9214 8036, or Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths, Nomination Committee Chair, 02 6125 4158.

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) aims to construct the deepest, widest image of the Universe ever produced. Following commissioning in 2021/22 it will conduct a ten year survey of the sky using a specially designed 8.4 m diameter telescope in Chile with an extremely wide field of view. In 2015, CAASTRO and the LSST Corporation signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to allow a named list of Australian Principal Investigators (PIs) to access survey data from the LSST.  AAL has now novated the agreement and represents Australian astronomers wishing to participate in the LSST project.
 
Participation under this program costs USD(2013)$20,000 per PI per year over a 10-year period. There is also an additional data access fee. While AAL has not committed to funding Australia’s LSST participation, it will help coordinate the Australian PIs as they seek to secure funds for access to LSST, primarily expected to be through ARC LIEF and university grants. The original MoA allowed for 10 named PIs, each of whom can have four associated junior researchers who will also have rights to LSST data. AAL seeks to refresh the current list of named PIs via this open call for nominations. Applicants should in general be established senior researchers, with the ability to lead a small team of junior researchers within their institution. Demonstrated involvement with LSST science and/or survey management experience is highly desirable.
 
If you consider yourself well placed to contribute to this LSST engagement and development of a LIEF bid for submission in early 2019, via your expertise, ideas, and experience, please email applications@astronomyaustralia.org.au with a maximum three page application comprising:

• a covering letter describing your expertise relevant to LSST science and the science you wish to do with the LSST;
• a brief CV including grants awarded;
• a statement of intent to seek monetary support for the LIEF bid from your institution.

 
In addition AAL will appoint one PI as the “Australian Science Lead” to lead the Australian engagement with LSST and coordinate the LIEF bid. Should you wish to be considered for the Australian Science Lead role, you should include an additional statement indicating two or more of:

• Demonstrated leadership within LSST science and/or governance networks.
• Demonstrated leadership within a key LSST science area.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate large funding applications.

 
In considering applications, AAL will first consider appointment to the Australian Science Lead role. The successful candidate for that role will be invited to have input into the remainder of the PI refresh process.
 
AAL is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from all interested candidates with relevant expertise and skills. ​AAL will also endeavour to maximise engagement across Australian institutions in this process, but please note, as AAL is not directly funding Australian LSST access, there may be limitations to this consideration.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact AAL if you have any questions regarding this process:
 
Mita Brierley, Senior Program Manager
Stuart Ryder, Program Manager
 
Applications close on Friday 5th October 2018, 5 PM AEST. Late applications will not be accepted.