The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world’s most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

Due to a new project between ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre, in Garching, near Munich, Germany, and the Forscherstation, Heidelberg, ESO is advertising the position of:

Education Specialist (Kindergarten/Elementary School)

The ESO Supernova is an education facility, based at the ESO Headquarters site in Garching, which attracts approximately 60000 visitors per year. Around 10000 visitors per year are young people visiting as part of their education. Demand for education visits continues to be high.

Forscherstation Heidelberg aims to inspire educational specialists and teachers from nurseries, day care centres, after-school care centres and elementary schools in natural sciences so that they can discover the world together with children. To achieve this, Forscherstation trusts in the training of educators, the provision of appropriate enquiry-based concepts, applied research and the education of young scientists.

The project “Fostering early science education at the ESO Supernova in cooperation with the Forscherstation” aims to strengthen and expand the education offer of the ESO Supernova, especially for children aged 3-12 as well as educators and primary school teachers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Education Specialist will be in charge of leading the afore mentioned project at the ESO Supernova (ES). He/she will work on the development and delivery of enquiry-based educational materials suitable for children aged 3 to 12 years, linked both to school curricula and to the topics presented in the planetarium shows and astronomy exhibition of the ES. They will be the day-to-day contact person for the schools and responsible for the educator trainings taking place at the ES. The main tasks include:

• Development of an information and advertising structure for the Forscherstation training courses
• Establishment and support of a small equipment loan service (including giving advice)
• Coordination and planning of training courses for educators (in collaboration with Forscherstation)
• Development and delivery of training courses for educators
• Development and delivery of ESO Supernova educational programme for children aged 3 to 12 years, including hands-on workshops, guided tours and planetarium shows
• Representing Forscherstation and ESO Supernova at conferences, meetings etc.

Reports to: ESO Education Coordinator.

Key Competences and Experience:
Essential Competences and Experience

• At least 3 years of professional experience in a day-care centre or elementary school
• Comprehensive understanding of Kindergarten and Primary education system in Bavaria, Germany
• Comprehensive understanding of didactic methods for young children
• Expertise in the field of natural science
• Independent, structured work and social skills
• Confident handling of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Technical affinity (operation of the planetarium – training will be provided)
• Clear, precise and engaging written and verbal communication skills

Qualifications:

University degree (or comparable) in elementary and childhood education or primary education (essential), with a focus on the natural sciences (desirable).

Language skills:

The position requires fluency in German and in English.

Closing date for applications is 10 September 2021

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date, and will be conducted in both English and German. Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. The CV may also be submitted in German. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

To find out more information and to see the job description in full, please visit the ESO website.