ISAAC NEWTON GROUP OF TELESCOPES
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The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) is seeking applications from Software Engineers to support the observatory’s day-to-day operations and development projects.
The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes is based on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma, where it operates the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope, the largest and most advanced optical telescope in Europe and the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope. The telescopes, which operate 365 nights of the year, are located in a multi-national observatory site, el Roque de los Muchachos, at an altitude of 2,400 metres. The ING is pursuing a vigorous world-class optical and IR development programme concentrating on the areas of Adaptive Optics and Wide Field Astronomy, including the development of a laser guide star system.
ING has commissioned NAOMI, a state of the art adaptive optics (AO) system on the WHT, and is continuing to develop this system operationally. Additionally, work is just beginning on a newly funded project to develop a Laser Guide Star to complete the AO suite. This project relies on the development of high-speed real time control software. ING’s other major strategic development area is the software upgrade to AutoFib2, a robotic placement multi-object fibre feed unit for spectroscopy.
Software Engineers 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. State of the art new instruments are being developed using a variety of software and hardware platforms, including Java, CORBA, ANSI-C and scripting languages running on Sun Solaris and Linux operating systems.
Post-holders are 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 include:
· Designing, developing, testing and commissioning software to control telescopes, instruments and detectors
· Diagnosing and solving reported problems
· Inspecting documents and code
In addition, post-holders will be expected to work at the Telescopes, providing daytime support as part of the multi-disciplinary Operations Team as well as providing technical support at night on a rostered basis.
The post-holder 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.)
We are looking for applicants with:
· Experience of developing real time software in C and in a Unix environment, preferably for instrument control
· Experience of Object Oriented development with Java
· Ability to work in multi-disciplinary project teams
· Good analytical and trouble shooting skills
· Degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline
· Full driving licence
· Effective written and oral communications skills in English
In addition knowledge of and/or experience with any of the following would be advantageous:
· Graphical User Interface Construction, TCL/Tk, Python, Perl
· VxWorks, EPICS, DSPs
· Telescope Control System software, Open VMS and FORTRAN
· DRAMA, ADAM, ICL, Pascal, Forth
· CORBA, XML, Relational databases (Postgres)
· Complete software life-cycle and relevant standards, Software Testing techniques
· Knowledge of Astronomy, observation techniques and data reduction
· 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 effective time management skills
ING are prepared to consider applicants with a less formal software background who have a relevant experience in developing astronomical instrumentation including its real time software, especially in the adaptive optics field.
The salary that applies to this post is 35,510 euros per annum increasing to 37,380 euros per annum after one year’s service, subject to satisfactory performance. In addition, a relocation package will be made available where appropriate.
For further information on the Isaac Newton Group and La Palma please consult our web pages: www.ing.iac.es.
For further information on the post please contact Frank Gribbin at ING by email fjg@ing.iac.es or by telephone +34 922 425426/405552.
To apply please send a completed application form, available at www.ing.iac.es/About-ING/Vacancies/vacancies1.html, to:
Lucy Lawler, Head of Personnel, Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, Sea Level Office, Apartado de Correos 321, 38700 Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain or by email to lal@ing.iac.es.
The closing date for applications is 30 April 2004.
Lucy Lawler Isaac Newton Group
For Director, ING 19 March 2004