back to article China can't find anyone smart enough to run its whizzbang $180m 1,640ft radio telescope

There aren't many astronomy jobs that pay very well – but the Chinese authorities are offering just that for the director of scientific operation for its new Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope. At 500m (1,640ft) across, FAST became the world's largest filled-aperture radio telescope when construction finished last …

  1. hplasm
    Unhappy

    I would do it...

    But I'm totally unqualified in every way.

    Sounds like 'a great opportunity for the right candidate' though.

    Good lUck, Chinese astroboffins!

    1. Aaiieeee
      Angel

      Re: I would do it...

      The proper technique is to craft your CV so that you appear to have all the skills, blag the interview with the plan to read some Microsoft books before your first day (optional).

      Theres a small chance the hiring manager may be able to ask some technical questions to prevent this though so be warned!

      1. gandalfcn Silver badge

        Re: I would do it...

        Aaiieeee

        This the PRC not the USA you realise.

        They probably already know who is to get the job, the rest is no doubt PR bs for internal consumption.

        Mind you, your piss take was good.

    2. smudge

      Re: I would do it...

      Last week I saw the Yesterday channel's "Impossible Engineering" programme about it.

      When can I start?

    3. drand
      Coat

      Re: I would do it...

      I would do it

      ditto

      But I'm totally unqualified in every way

      ditto

      However, I frequently wear my underwear on the outside so I may be able to blag the superhero part.

    4. TheVogon

      Re: I would do it...

      I guess that's finally one thing that the Chinese can't just copy from another country's technology....

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        You should apply for it

        If you stay in a Holiday Inn Express the night before the interview, you'll ace it and get the job for sure!

      2. gandalfcn Silver badge

        Re: I would do it...

        TheVogon

        You mean like paper, the magnetic compass and so on I assume?

        Next you'll be saying the Daily Fail is a reliable source.

        1. TheVogon

          Re: I would do it...

          "You mean like paper, the magnetic compass and so on I assume?"

          No I mean like say high speed electric train technology, countless military innovations, solar power technology, and nuclear power plant technology as a few cases we know for certain...

          1. Uffish

            Re: Chinese copies...

            Henry Ford did not invent the automobile. He didn’t even invent the assembly line. That bloody American copied everything. (That last sentence is what some Europeans were probably saying at the time).

  2. the Jim bloke
    Thumb Up

    Requires advanced mathematical ability

    - or many many more fingers

  3. Destroy All Monsters Silver badge
    Facepalm

    Is this a China thing?

    They need someone who knows astronomy and can manage (and additionally, someone who knows local cultural elements and can navigate the famously problematic corridors of PRC state institutions?)

    That makes no sense.

    Jusrt get a good manager who can listen to advisors, FFS.

    1. Evil Auditor Silver badge

      Re: Is this a China thing?

      I agree. Why are they looking for an inexistent "superhero" when a team could provide the necessary skill set much easier? Don't know much about Chinese mentality but is there something that the bosses must know all and better than their staff?

      1. I3N
        Coat

        Re: Is this a China thing?

        Haven't included the perk where in Chinese academic circles, old professors can have a relationship with his grad students

  4. Aladdin Sane

    All well and good

    But it can't connect to the GoldenEye satellite.

  5. Ol' Grumpy

    "Candidates can be of any nationality, any race."

    Why does race come into it?

    1. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

      Reasons. Not good ones.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Covered a bit here.

    2. Destroy All Monsters Silver badge

      Yes, they will look at "affirmative action policies".

      Then hire a asian "honorary white" straight male.

      Chinese aren't into SJW shenanigans.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        They aren't opening it up to foreigners because of "affirmative action", but because they can't find anyone qualified inside China.

  6. JJKing
    IT Angle

    Imagine the bragging rights.

    I once found a star this --> <-- big!

  7. ForthIsNotDead

    I'll do it...

    ...I have the management skills:

    Scientist 1: I DEMAND time on the telescope RIGHT NOW.

    Me: You're first in the queue. Knock yourself out.

    Scientist 2: I DEMAND time on the telescope RIGHT NOW.

    Me: Please take a ticket and sit in the waiting room.

    Scientist 3: I DEMAND time on the telescope RIGHT NOW.

    Me: Please take a ticket and sit in the waiting room.

    Scientist 4: I DEMAND time on the telescope RIGHT NOW.

    Me: Please take a ticket and sit in the waiting room.

    Me: Would any of you like a magazine? Cup of tea?

    1. Long John Brass
      Big Brother

      Re: I'll do it...

      Bah! Amateur

      4 Scientists go in; one comes out

      !!!FIGHT!!!

      Stream the contest & make one beeeelion dollars

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Just to add...

    ...although FAST has a 500m reflector, it is 'oversized' in the sense that it can't use the entire reflector when making observations; it has a maximum effective/usable aperture of between 200-300m, depending upon how far away from the zenith you want to observe.

    According to the numbers on Wikipedia, it can observe up to 26.4 degrees from the zenith whilst maintaining an effective aperture of 300m and up to 60 degrees with an effective aperture of 200m.

    (I'm a bit suspicious of wikipedia's upper limit of 60 degrees from the zenith - I'd previously heard that it was 40 degrees, and 60 degrees seems almost impractical for a fixed reflector).

  9. Mr Sceptical
    Alien

    I hear...

    ...ET is looking for a way to hail a ride home?

  10. MT Field

    The cynical side of me is thinking they want an administrator with proven media presence and some science background. This is all about prestige, no? The real science is being done by the large array radio telescopes.

  11. Herby

    I suspect that there might be a small problem attracting people.

    The home country will probably get first dibs on what goes on, and take credit for anything that happens. So:

    All your base are belong to us.

  12. TheElder

    FAST dwarfs lesser telescopes by more than a factor of two.

    A lot more than just two. Area is what matters and that is 2.6874785001719986240110079119367 times bigger than Arecibo.

    It would be nice work. I have been thinking of offering my services here.

    Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory

    1. MT Field

      Re: FAST dwarfs lesser telescopes by more than a factor of two.

      On the contrary. It is aperture that matters.

      1. I3N
        Pint

        Re: FAST dwarfs lesser telescopes by more than a factor of two.

        Useable aperture and frequency limit ...

  13. YARR
    IT Angle

    IT Angle :

    Remember your access to non-Chinese internet will be highly restricted.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: IT Angle :

      Which means you probably won't hear much about Trump or May. Bonus!

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