Vacant Post – Ska Mid – Pipeline Engineer Skao/Sarao

The National Research Foundation (NRF) ) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) ) spearheads South Africa's activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction.

SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) ) is a next-generation global radio-astronomy facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics.

It is one observatory with two telescopes – SKA-Mid in South Africa and SKA-Low in Western Australia.

South Africa is a co-host member of the SKAO, an intergovernmental organisation headquartered at Jodrell Bank (near Manchester in the United Kingdom) responsible for SKAO construction and operations globally.

• Purpose: The Pipeline Engineer works as part of the SKA-Mid Computing and Software Telescope Operations team to analyze, develop, operate and maintain the Mid telescope astronomy pipelines and other data analysis products such as the QA matrix. Working with Senior Pipelines Developers and Platform developers, they identify, research and analyse the problem sets, investigate of potential solutions, the implementation, testing and verification of such solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop and improve data processing telescope software and data products.
• Documentation and testing of the pipeline and data processing software
• Support deployment of release by engaging with interfacing teams to perform post-deployment testing
• Respond to system incidents and provide support for the SKA-Mid telescope data processing pipelines and software
• Participate in SKA-Mid Computing and Software Operations planning and continuous improvement
• Be an integral, senior member of the SKA-Mid Computing and Software Operations Teams, providing regular operations support for the SKA-Mid telescope's data processing capability
• Establish, maintain and engage in good working relationships with all stakeholders
• Maintain external links with professional and/or specialist bodies, communities or groups.
• Participate in telescope-wide and integration activities and events and represent SKA-Mid Data Processing interests and issues
• Represent the organisation and department at international meetings with partner and peer organisations.
• Adhere to the spirit and practice of both SKAO and SARAO/NRF Values as well as the Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment procedures and policy, Diversity initiatives and Making Safety Personal goals.

Key Requirements:

Qualification:

• A Degree/ Master's/ PHD in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, or related, applied/interdisciplinary sciences

Experience:

• A Degree coupled with 4 years' relevant working experience; or A Master's Degree coupled with 3 years' relevant working experience; or PHD coupled with 1 year relevant working experience in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, or related, applied/interdisciplinary sciences encompassing development, testing, deployment, commissioning, release and support of scientific software or data analytics projects and developing scientific software using Python and Python libraries or similar languages.

Knowledge:

• Radio astronomy data analysis calibration and imaging techniques and tools
• Radio Astronomy instrumentation and observatory practices
• Performing data-driven astronomy research
• Software development, preferably scientific programming using Python and Python libraries
• Large science data curation, manipulation, transfer, management and archival
• Understanding of system architecture concepts
• Understanding of scaled agile methodologies and DevOps processes
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering and systems delivery practices

Additional Notes:

Related Skills:

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Cooperates with others to achieve organisational objectives. Collaborates with other teams as well as industry colleagues. Sharing skills and knowledge with team members as required.
• Judgement and

Problem Solving:
Anticipates and manages problems in ambiguous situations. Develops and selects an appropriate course of action and provides for contingencies.

Evaluates, interprets and integrates complex bodies of information and draws logical conclusions, synthesises proposals and defends options with reasoned arguments.

• Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in thinking and adapts to and manages the increasing rate of organisational change by adjusting strategies, goals and priorities.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary environments and matrix teams during some project phases such as integration, deployment, testing, verification as well as during telescope operations.

Essential:

• Quantitative research skills in a relevant or translatable area
• Radio Interferometer telescopes scheduling, observation and calibration techniques
• Radio astronomy data cleansing, calibration techniques and tools
• Scientific software and pipelines development using Python and Python libraries, e.g. NumPy, SciPy. Matplotlib
• IT and Information systems analysis, design, implementation, integration, delivery and operations
• Agile approaches to systems development
• IT systems architecture concepts
• An understanding of DevOps processes (CI/CD)
• Data curation, transfer, management, archival and governance
• IT Services, Operations and Support

Desirable:

• Experience working with Radio astronomy software packages, e.g. CASA, MeqTREES
• Radio Astronomy data formats and other formal or informal standards
• Radio Astronomy data and science products analysis
• A record of publication of scientific articles in an area of expertise, demonstrating ability to conduct research and collaboration with peers
• Knowledge of Radio Astronomy techniques, instrumentation and observatory practices
• Ability to develop and convey a technical vision to team members
• Working with senior members as a mentee, learning from them and other experts, informally and informally
• Commissioning of scientific instruments
• Ability to work as part of a globally distributed team, which may include travel or accommodating work in different timezones
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide audience and a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to reliably estimate and plan software developments with long (multi-year) time horizons
• Health, Safety and Environment
• Organizational governance and administration

Organisational Values

The SKA-Mid Pipeline Engineer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAO's values, and to work actively to instil those behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South Africa.

SKAO's values are:

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Excellence
• Collaboration
• Creativity and Innovation
• Sustainability

SARAO's values are:

• Passion for Excellence
• World-class service
• People-centered
• Respect
• Integrity and Ethics

Information:
The website provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Applications:
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant's suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Closing Date: 28 April 2024 The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only

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