Research and Development Opportunities at ESO - Astronomical Observatories and Future Projects

Learn about cutting-edge astronomical research opportunities and facilities in this comprehensive lecture by ESO Director General Prof Xavier Barcons, exploring the European Southern Observatory's world-leading observatories and future developments. Discover the organization's impressive scientific output, including the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Gain insights into ESO's continuous facility upgrades, competitive access programs, and extensive science archives that generate over 1000 refereed papers annually. Explore professional opportunities for scientists, engineers, and other professionals, as well as partnerships with R&D institutes and industry. Understand the organization's role in major astronomical projects like the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) and ALMA's ambitious Wide-Band Sensitivity Upgrade program, highlighting ESO's position as a catalyst for research and development in modern astronomy.