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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
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 ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
For its ALMA Regional Centre at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is opening two positions for:
ALMA Pipeline Processing Analysts
Garching
Deadline 15/12/2016
The ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) at ESO, together with the Joint ALMA Observatory in Chile and the network of ARC nodes distributed throughout Europe, is responsible for performing quality assurance on ALMA data for PIs from ESO member states. This quality assurance procedure consists of calibration, imaging, and packaging the data for delivery, and is currently a combination of manual and pipeline processing.
The reputation of ALMA in the user community depends to a large part on the speed and quality of data delivery to the PIs. ALMA management is committed to improve the data delivery rates, while at the same time maintaining the quality of the delivered data remains important.
The ARC is looking for two ALMA Pipeline Processing Analysts to help with the quality assurance procedure and participate in the commissioning of the ALMA data reduction pipeline.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the ALMA Pipeline Processing Analysts are to:
- Execute the data reduction pipeline as part of the quality assurance procedure;
- Perform expert checks of the pipeline products, and implement modifications if required;
- Perform calibration and imaging of ALMA data;
- Be involved in coordinating the pipeline work in the distributed network of European ARC nodes;
- Participate in the commissioning of the ALMA data reduction pipeline (specifically related to the not yet commissioned observing modes and the non-standard modes).
Reports to:
The post holder reports to the Head of the ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) Department. The ARC is a department of currently 12 people and is part of the ESO ALMA Support Centre division. The post holder may be requested to take duty trips to the Joint ALMA Office in Santiago, Chile for training and exchanging information. These would be visits of typically two weeks to one month in duration.
Experience:
We seek an astronomer, physicist or engineer with a minimum of three years' experience in the analysis of astronomical data, not necessarily radio data, and understanding of the concepts of handling data/projects of large observatories. Basic experience with using the Linux or Mac OSX shell and standard networking tools is required.
Key Competences:
- Some knowledge of astronomical data analysis;
- Comfortable with contributing to routine administration and data bookkeeping work;
- Being able to use project tracking and problem reporting software tools;
- Precise communication and documentation skills;
- Effective and committed team player;
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills;
- Flexibility in adapting to changes of requirements and priorities as well as of assignments.
Qualifications:
A bachelors or masters degree in physics, astronomy, or engineering or a related field.
Language Skills:
The position requires a 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, please visit <http://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/paidassoc/>.
The initial contract is for a period of one year with the possibility of a fixed-term extension. The title or grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany.
Career Path: IV
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 at <http://jobs.eso.org/>. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.
Closing date for applications is 15.12.2016.
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.