Training Program in Interferometry
at mm-Wavelengths

While the steeply increasing scientific impact of radio interferometry is evident from many recent journal publications and conference proceedings, the tools necessary to utilise this technique are still not readily available in many institutes. ``Tools'' in this context include basic hardware concepts, the signal transport and processing techniques, the data calibration steps, and eventually the data analysis software.

As other institutes before, e.g. the NRAO, IRAM has made an effort to transmit this knowledge to users of the Plateau de Bure Interferometer by organising a first summer school in 1998, and by starting preparations for a second one in the year 2000. Details can be found in this newsletter, and on the IRAM www-page (http://iram.fr).

We now want to step up this effort by creating a special training program for interferometry at mm-wavelengths that will be co-ordinated by Dr. Anne DUTREY. In the short-term, this program aims at increasing the community, especially of young radio astronomers, that can successfully use the Plateau de Bure Interferometer. In the longer-term, this program aims to help preparing, in Europe, the scientific exploitation of the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA).

In support of this training program, we offer at IRAM a limited number of:

(a)

student subsidies, and

(b)

fellowship positions.

Student subsidies will allow one or more stays at IRAM for typical periods of 2 months during the preparation of a PhD-thesis that requires observations at mm-wavelengths.

Fellowship positions are for young post-docs who want to familiarise themselves with the techniques of mm-interferometry. During their typically 2 year stay at IRAM, which could be extended by 1 year, they will participate in scientific, technical, and software projects related to mm-interferometry, in a team with IRAM staff astronomers. After this, the successful candidates will return to their home institutes, or join other astronomical institutes, to share their acquired knowledge with their colleagues.

The visits of students at IRAM will be arranged in consultation with the thesis supervisors on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the available resources. The fellowship positions will be advertised on the IRAM www-page and in the IRAM Newsletters, and allocated on a competitive basis. Details will be given in the first announcement, expected in one of the next Newsletters.

Michael GREWING