Government News has the exciting word that the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education is hunting around for a supremo to run the huge Square Kilometre Array radio telescope.

According to the tender documents the SKA Project director will be required to “work with and advise Australian federal and state governments and the New Zealand Government to coordinate SKA activities” as well as preparing long-term strategic planning for the project’s construction and operation.

Any successful candidate will also be security vetted and required to possess finely-tuned political antennae to “ensure the Minister and Secretary of the Department are fully advised on matters associated with Australia’s participation in the SKA project.”

Presumably that means informing the Australian Government in the event alien life forms are found.

Bids for the position close on 8th February.