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Lead Research Scientist (LIGO-India Liaison & Observing Run Coordinator)
California Institute of Technology
Details
Posted: 15-May-26
Location: Livingston, Louisiana
Categories:
Academic/Faculty
Physical Sciences
Internal Number: 7160307
Caltech
Exempt Overtime Eligible: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Lead Research Scientist (LIGO-India Liaison & Observing Run Coordinator) to join its team.
This position is located in Livingston, LA.
LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.
In cooperation with Indian scientists from their Department of Energy, and from domestic Indian universities, the LIGO Laboratory is participating in the construction of a third LIGO Observatory in Maharashtra state. The construction of the Civil and Vacuum infrastructure is the responsibility of the collaborators from India. The LIGO Laboratory in the US will contribute the detector components for the third instrument as well as providing consultation and expertise from laboratory staff. A liaison to the LIGO-India project will act to coordinate these activities.
For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at www.ligo.caltech.edu
Essential Job Duties
LIGO-India Liaison (Primary Responsibility):
- Direct and oversee the LIGO Lab's strategic interface with the LIGO-India Project, working with a team of project coordinators, technical specialists, and administrative staff responsible for international collaboration activities
- Establish operating policies and procedures for detector component transfer, international logistics, and collaboration workflows affecting multiple technical units and detector subsystem leads across LIGO Lab
- Lead strategic planning and implementation for detector transfer activities, coordinating with subordinate project managers responsible for component inventory systems, shipment logistics, customs coordination, and upgrade implementation schedules.
- Establish, manage, and participate in reviews related to LIGO India construction, installation, commissioning and operation.
- Develop and manage operating budget for LIGO-India interface activities, including international travel programs, equipment transfer costs, training initiatives, and collaboration support; approve expenditures and project future resource requirements
- Direct and manage comprehensive workforce training programs for LIGO-India team members, supervising training coordinators and mentorship leads who implement site visits, technical knowledge transfer, and operational readiness activities
- Provide scientific and technical leadership representing LIGO Lab with senior management authority in LIGO-India leadership meetings, NSF program reviews, and Project Advisory Committee presentations; serve as advisor to LIGO-India leadership on technical and operational challenges
- Direct and organize activities of technical staff and project leads during frequent travel to India to support installation planning, commissioning preparation, and early operations readiness through the next several years
- Interpret and ensure compliance with Institute policies, international collaboration agreements, export control regulations, and NSF program requirements affecting LIGO-India activities
- Investigate, originate, and submit award proposals for additional funding to support LIGO-India collaboration activities, detector upgrades, and international partnership initiatives; partner with Principal Investigators and LIGO management in identifying funding opportunities and developing competitive proposals to NSF and other sponsoring agencies
Observing Run Coordination & Detector Operations (LLO):
- Manage scientific observing run operations at the Livingston observatory, overseeing operations supervisors, technical leads, and shift personnel responsible for detector operations and data quality
- Establish and communicate operating policies affecting run coordination, operational procedures, work permit authorization, and maintenance scheduling across observatory units
- Oversee daily site activities during observing runs, including operational impact assessments, emergency response coordination, and real-time problem resolution through subordinate supervisors
- Lead cross-functional management coordination with domestic and international partners at LIGO Hanford, Virgo, and KAGRA; serve in rotating leadership role as network run coordinator with authority over global downtime scheduling and operational priorities
- Guide subordinate supervisors in identifying effective solutions to operational challenges and technical problems affecting detector performance
Rapid Response and Event Vetting:
- Oversee Rapid Response Team operations for gravitational-wave event vetting, managing team leads responsible for alert evaluation protocols and electromagnetic counterpart coordination
- Establish procedures and operating policies for candidate event assessment, alert decision-making, and communication with LSC collaboration members and external astronomical facilities
- Provide high-level scientific and technical leadership as senior expert in event characterization, particularly for high-priority detections requiring rapid validation and public alert distribution
- Oversee team scheduling and assignments, ensuring adequate expert coverage during observing runs; make recommendations on team composition and member selection
Grants & Program Leadership - LSC Fellows Program:
- Serve as Principal Investigator with full budget authority for NSF-funded $1.1M (4 year award) LSC Activities Fee grant supporting U.S.-based institutional contributions to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC)
- Direct and manage the LSC Fellows Program, overseeing program coordinators and administrative staff responsible for fellow recruitment, project placement, housing logistics, and program evaluation
- Develop and oversee operating and grant budget for Fellows Program; manage expenditures, approve financial commitments, and advise LIGO management on financial impact of program expansion or modifications
- Establish program policies and selection criteria affecting fellow eligibility, project assignments, and performance expectations
- Make decisions on fellow selection, project placements, and performance evaluations in partnership with LIGO Hanford leadership and LSC institutional representatives
- Oversee administrative and technical staff supporting program operations, progress tracking, and NSF reporting requirements; authorize staffing changes as program needs evolve
- Partner with Principal Investigators and facility leadership in identifying high-impact research projects and mentorship opportunities for visiting fellows
- Ensure compliance with NSF grant requirements, institutional policies, and collaboration agreements governing program activities
Additional Leadership Responsibilities:
- Consult with senior LIGO Lab leadership on strategic planning for international partnerships, observing run strategies, and LSC collaboration activities
- Serve on Institute committees representing LIGO Lab operations and international collaboration interests
- Act as advisor to subordinate managers and technical staff to resolve complex operational, technical, or collaborative challenges
- Identify and facilitate improvements to research processes and operational workflows that support fulfillment of LIGO Lab's mission and organizational goals
- Maintain awareness of scientific industry trends and international collaboration best practices affecting gravitational-wave research and large-scale facility operations
- Other duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field
- At least 10 years of postdoctoral or equivalent experience in gravitational-wave physics or experimental physics
- Proven experience in international scientific collaboration and project coordination
- Strong familiarity with LIGO Laboratory operations, observing run logistics, and gravitational-wave data analysis
- Demonstrated success in managing large-scale scientific grants and mentoring programs
- Excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration skills; must be able to travel internationally, including frequent trips to India
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior leadership roles within LIGO Laboratory or the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC)
- Experience working directly with detector commissioning, installation, upgrades, operations, and scientific observing campaigns
- At least 20 years of postdoctoral or equivalent experience in gravitational-wave physics or experimental physics
- Familiarity with U.S. government research funding and reporting, particularly with the National Science Foundation (NSF)
Required Documents
- Resume
To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://hr.caltech.edu/work/job_openings
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future.
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