The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) is seeking applications from Software Engineers to fill a vacancy that has arisen. The appointment will be on a 3 year fixed term basis.

The ING comprises 3 world class optical telescopes: the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope, the largest and most advanced telescope in Europe; the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope and the 1-m, Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope. ING is located on the island of La Palma in the Canaries where it has a sea level base in the island’s capital of Santa Cruz de La Palma. The telescopes, which operate 365 nights of the year, are 2400 metres above sea level at the international Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos. They are equipped with a range of instruments using solid state optical and infrared detectors. ING is in the process of commissioning an adaptive optics (AO) system on the WHT and expects to commission instruments suited to AO observing thereafter.

This Software Engineer post will report directly to the Head of ING’s Control Software Group. This group is responsible for the development and support of control system software for the telescopes, instrumentation and data acquisition. The Telescope Control Systems, written mostly in FORTRAN, run on DEC (Compaq) Alphas under VMS. New instrumentation systems are being developed using Sun Solaris, ANSI C, Tcl/Tk, Python, with low level control computers running VxWorks and EPICS.

The post-holder will be expected to work with engineers and staff astronomers, as well as assist visiting astronomers. The ability to work in informal teams without direct supervision is essential, as are good communication skills. Main duties are:

• Design, develop, test and commission software to control telescopes, instruments and detectors
• Diagnose and fix reported problems
• Take part as reviewer in inspections of documents and code

In addition the post-holders will be expected to work at the Telescopes, on a rostered basis, providing daytime support as part of the multi-disciplinary Operations Team.

The post-holders may also become involved in other aspects of ING’s development work such as

• Acting as Project Manager for software projects
• Helping define requirements in conjunction with Project Scientist
• Managing projects that include work from other disciplines (Electronic, Mechanical etc.)

Applicants must possess:

• Experience of developing software in C and in a Unix environment, preferably for instrument control
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary project teams
• Good analytical and trouble shooting skills
• Degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline
• Full driving licence

Experience with Telescope Control System software, Open VMS and FORTRAN is highly desirable.

In addition knowledge of and/or experience with any of the following would be advantageous:

• Knowledge of real-time software techniques and operating systems
• Graphical User Interface Construction, TCL/Tk, Python, DSPs
• VxWorks, EPICS
• DRAMA, ADAM, ICL, Pascal, Forth
• Object Oriented analysis and Design, C++, Java, CORBA, XML
• Solaris device drivers
• Complete software life-cycle and relevant standards, Software Testing techniques
• Some knowledge of Astronomy, observation techniques and data reduction
• Some background knowledge of Electronics
• Work at a comparable observatory or similar establishment
• Ability to speak Spanish or willingness to learn

Applicants should also:

• be able to estimate and plan work
• possess good time management skills

Individuals wishing to apply should send an application form to the ING’s Head of Personnel by the closing date of 31 May. An electronic version of the application form may be found on ING’s web site under the section headed ‘About ING, Job Opportunities’. PPARC is fully committed to the equality of opportunity in the workplace.