Photo taken on Sept. 15, 2016 shows the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/China News Service)
(ECNS) - China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, will attempt a new round of recruitment after seeing little interest in a first attempt.
Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in Southwest China's Guizhou Province, FAST is believed to be the world's most sensitive radio telescope. FAST has discovered 53 new pulsars since its trial operation began in September 2016.
FAST will undertake the state acceptance review next year, mainly covering six major aspects, and is expected to begin formal operation on a 24-7 basis after passing the check. Currently there are about 20 staff members based at the site, too few to ensure operations over three shifts.
Jiang Peng, chief engineer of FAST, said the telescope has met national requirements in a number of core technical parameters, such as sensitivity, noise and precision, after two years of tests.
But there are still challenges, including the electromagnetic environment near FAST, which can be improved, said Jiang.
Zhang Shuxin, deputy manager of the FAST project, said they will recruit 24 researchers involved in data management and telecommunication maintenance.
Applicants are required to work at the site for a long period of time, have good English skills, and be flexible to work night shifts. The annual salary, plus the subsidy, will be around 100,000 yuan ($14,400).
Zhang said the previous recruitment drive only filled half of the posts due to a lack of publicity as well as the challenges of the job, such as researchers being allowed to return home only once a fortnight.
