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The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive astronomical observatory. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in the Atacama Desert region of Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. The ESO headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany. ESO is the focal point for Europe's participation in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) consortium, which is operating a large submillimetre array in the Chilean Andes. The construction of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) is also currently underway.
For the European ALMA Support Centre within the Directorate of Operations, ESO is opening the position of
Assistant to the Data Reduction Manager (DRM)
Garching
Deadline 11/03/2016
The ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) is a department of the European ALMA Support Centre (EASC) at ESO and is responsible for ALMA user support in Europe. One of the tasks of the ARC, which it fulfills in close collaboration with a network of ARC nodes distributed throughout Europe, is assessing and safeguarding the quality of the ALMA data before delivery to the ALMA users. The reputation of ALMA in the users community depends to a large part on the speed and quality of data delivery to the PIs.
The ARC at ESO hosts the Data Reduction Manager (DRM) who, among other things, distributes the quality assurance work among analysts at the different ARC nodes and at ESO. Two other staff members at ESO currently assist this DRM.
Much of the work has to be done manually during this time, since many of the automatic tools are still in development. These tools include the data reduction pipeline, which is presently being commissioned, but also advanced tracking tools that enable a smooth processing of all ALMA observing projects.
The ARC is looking for an assistant to the DRM who will be a member of the existing DRM team. The candidate will assist with quality assurance coordination and administration tasks, occasionally helping with actual quality assurance work as well.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The basic requirements for the job of the "DRM assistant" are:
- Some experience with the analysis of astronomical data, not necessarily radio data, and the concepts of proposal handling of large observatories;
- Basic experience with using the Linux shell (bash) and standard networking tools like ssh and scp, and editors like vi or emacs;
- Experience with editing wikis;
- Routine administration and data bookkeeping work;
- Being able to use ALMA tools like the Project Tracker and JIRA.
Reports to:
The post holder will report to the Head of the ALMA Regional Centre Department.
Experience:
We seek an astronomer, physicist or engineer with some experience in the analysis of astronomical data, not necessarily radio data, and the concepts of proposal handling of large observatories. Basic experience with using the Linux shell (bash) and standard networking tools like ssh and scp, and editors like vi or emacs is also required. Some experience with editing wikis is beneficial.
Key Competences:
The post holder will be comfortable with performing routine administration and data bookkeeping work. He/she will be able to use ALMA tools like the Project Tracker and JIRA. He/she should be precise, like documentation and communicate effectively. He/she should be able to work on their own and also work collaboratively in a small team. He/she should have excellent organizational and time-management skills. A flexibility in adapting to changes of requirements and priorities as well as of assignment are requested.
Qualifications:
A bachelor's or master's degree in physics, or astronomy, or engineering or a related field.
Language Skills:
The position requires a good working knowledge of English.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), medical and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating you and your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare. For any further information and to apply, please visit <http://jobs.eso.org/>. The contract is for a fixed term period of one year only.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany.
Career Path:
IV
Starting Date:
As soon as possible
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (<http://www.eso.org>) for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online via our recruitment portal http://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and your CV.
Closing date for applications is 11 March 2016.
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
No nationality is in principle excluded however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.