Research Scientist - National Center for Supercomputing Applications

Job Summary
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) seeks a Research Scientist to join the Astronomy Group. NCSA uses a variety of local, national and cloud-based resources, as well as intellectual resources, to enable large scale observational science, such as the Dark Energy Survey (DES), Rubin Observatory, South Pole Telescope (SPT), CMB-Stage IV, and a number of future projects in development. The scientist will: support, build, and operate ambitious data systems for observational astronomy; engage in scientific collaborations and also the data science and engineering communities to help improve the state-of-the-art in data toolkits and techniques for observational survey science; develop and support challenging data production systems and apply data science techniques to current and future large observational programs; process and analyze data and participate in the overall operations and success of NCSA projects.

Duties & Responsibilities for Research Scientist level:

• Assist science teams in the development of analysis techniques for survey science data.
• Collaborate with research groups in the pursuit of common missions, vision, values and mutual goals
• Engage the data science community to improve the capability and performance of data science software.
• Participate in data production, management, and releases for large astronomical surveys such as DES and LSST
• Participate and engage in existing and planned survey science research at NCSA and on campus.
• Apply technologies to solve big data problems and to develop innovative big data solutions.
• Keep abreast of developments in the high-performance computing field, writing technical reports, conference and journal papers as appropriate, review scientific papers and proposals as appropriate.
• Contribute to research articles for peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute original technical material to grant proposals and assist with other aspects of proposal preparation.
• Support, build, and operate ambitious data systems for observational astronomy.
• Assist in unit testing, integration testing and functional testing of software.
• Help install, test and debug software packages and tools on the supercomputers at NCSA and its partners.
• Provide support of astronomical survey software to the larger community, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned
• Pursue independent research.
• Maintain and improve competence in astronomical survey science by attending seminars and colloquia at NCSA, UIUC and elsewhere as appropriate.
• Represent NCSA in meetings and conferences by presenting papers, slides and posters

Duties & Responsibilities for Senior Research Scientist level:

• Assist science teams in the development of analysis techniques for survey science data.
• Collaborate with research groups in the pursuit of common missions, vision, values and mutual goals
• Engage the data science community to improve the capability and performance of data science software.
• Participate in data production, management, and releases for large astronomical surveys such as DES and LSST
• Participate and engage in existing and planned survey science research at NCSA and on campus.
• Apply technologies to solve big data problems and to develop innovative big data solutions.
• Keep abreast of developments in the high-performance computing field, writing technical reports, conference and journal papers as appropriate, review scientific papers and proposals as appropriate.
• Contribute to research articles for peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute original technical material to grant proposals and assist with other aspects of proposal preparation.
• Support, build, and operate ambitious data systems for observational astronomy.
• Assist in unit testing, integration testing and functional testing of software.
• Help install, test and debug software packages and tools on the supercomputers at NCSA and its partners.
• Provide support of astronomical survey software to the larger community, as needed.
• Serves as a co-PI on a number of sponsored research projects
• Pursue independent research.
• Maintain and improve competence in astronomical survey science by attending seminars and colloquia at NCSA, UIUC and elsewhere as appropriate.
• Represent NCSA in meetings and conferences by presenting papers, slides and posters

Research Scientist level:

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy, physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or related field. Alternative degree fields will be considered if accompanied by equivalent experience (depending on nature and depth of experience as it relates to current NCSA projects and technologies).
• 1-3 years of experience in astronomical computing working with real world data science applications.
• Experience in documenting projects, research effort and codes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large and complex data sets. Experience with high-performance computing using distributed computing and/or cloud technologies.
• Strong software engineering skills and a track record of contributing to software projects and collaborating with other developers.
• Working knowledge of the Linux operating system, a programming or data analysis language (e.g., Python, C, C++, etc.), and data access languages (e.g., MySQL, Oracle, NoSQL).
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines, and an eagerness to take ownership of challenging and open-ended assignments.
• Effective at communicating with audiences whose technical backgrounds vary widely.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Senior Research Scientist level:

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in astronomy, physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or related field. Alternative degree fields will be considered if accompanied by equivalent experience (depending on nature and depth of experience as it relates to current NCSA projects and technologies).
• 3-5 years of experience in astronomical computing working with real world data science applications.
• Experience in documenting projects, research effort and codes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large and complex data sets. Experience with high-performance computing using distributed computing and/or cloud technologies.
• Strong software engineering skills and a track record of contributing to software projects and collaborating with other developers.
• Working knowledge of the Linux operating system, a programming, or data analysis language (e.g., Python, C, C++, etc.), and data access languages (e.g., MySQL, Oracle, NoSQL).
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines, and an eagerness to take ownership of challenging and open-ended assignments.
• Effective at communicating with audiences whose technical backgrounds vary widely.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• PI/Co-PI on one or more sponsored research projects
• Demonstrated leveraging and support of center staff and research and development projects and activities

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on 4/15/2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Devin Scheidemantel at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.