ISAAC NEWTON GROUP OF TELESCOPES
LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS
BAND 4, DATAFLOW SCIENTIST
CVN ref: LP2/01 Closing date: 16 April 2001
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We invite applications for the position of DATAFLOW SCIENTIST in the
Astronomy Group at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) based on the island of La Palma in the Canaries. The ING comprises 3 world-class telescopes, including the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope which is equipped with a powerful set of instruments that allow a wide range of astronomical observations. The observatory is currently engaged in an overhaul of its dataflow architecture covering aspects ranging from data acquisition, quick-look facilities, science pipelines and archiving. The post holder will be expected to take a leading role in developing and implementing a strategy satisfying observatory and user requirements in this area. In addition he/she will be responsible for the development and maintenance of various application software packages and their documentation, and is expected to provide assistance for various astronomical user support services to both internal and external users.
The post will be at Band 4 (£17,530 to £26,732) In addition, the successful candidate will be eligible for a relocation and overseas package.
DUTIES
Application software development: Development and maintenance of (quick-look) data reduction scripts and application software, science quality control procedures and associated scripts. Maintenance of ING instrument specific data analysis software packages, in close collaboration with other staff. Participation in the development of observing scripts and high-level software for service, queue, automated and remote observing, pipeline reduction software.
Common user computing facilities: Includes IRAF, third-party, and STARLINK software procurement, installation, configuration, maintenance and code control. Support and development of guest account login scripts, and providing general user software support. Collate user service requirements to the Computing Facilities Group for hardware and operating system maintenance.
Participation in operational trials of automated, remote, service and/or queue observing trials is required which will entail night-time work at the telescopes. An interest in research is also desirable as the successful candidate is expected to spend some fraction of their time on projects directly related to observatory duties.
QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE
A degree in astronomy/astrophysics or related discipline is considered essential. Excellent communication skills are required and a good knowledge of English which is the working language at the observatory.
The post holder must have a proven aptitude for application software, have
experience with Unix/Linux systems (in particular with PC based clusters
for parallel processing tasks), and with the IRAF astronomical data
reduction software. Knowledge and experience of Starlink software, scripting languages, HTML, C and FORTRAN are important.
Finally, the nature of the duties require the postholder to have a good understanding of astronomical data taking and general observing principles.
RESPONSIBILITIES and REPORTING
The successful candidate will report to the Head of Astronomy. But, it is expected that the post holder will show initiative and take responsibility for the definition and delivery of the duties set out above.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The post will be based on La Palma where free accommodation will be provided along with a wide range of other benefits. The salary will be in PPARC’s range for overseas staff at Band 4, together with a Recruitment and Retention Allowance. A Cost of Living Allowance, based on personal circumstances, will also be paid.
APPLICATIONS
Staff wishing to be considered for the post should complete a PPARC Vacancy Application Form, copies of which are obtainable from their local Personnel Group. Alternatively, an application form will also be found on ING’s website, http://www.ing.iac.es The form should be forwarded, together with statements of suitability from their Reporting and Countersigning Officers, to reach Personnel Section, ING, by the closing date of 16 April 2001. Applications from non-permanent employees can only be considered if they were recruited to their present posts through fair and open competition and have the necessary entry qualifications for the grade for which they are applying.
Applications for a request interview may be made against this Vacancy Notice by employees of the PPARC who have served in their present grade for at least seven years (at the date of this Notice) and have not been interviewed for promotion within the same Occupational Group for at least four years. CEM 7D, section 8, refers.
This vacancy is being trawled across PPARC
Lucy Lawler
Head of ING Personnel 12 March 2001