Regional Centre Co-ordinator

Job Title: Regional Centre Coordinator
Reference: RCC/02
Reports To: Head of Science Operations Planning
Closing Date for applications: Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 28th February 2017.  For details of how to apply please see below. 
Submission of applications: See below.  Emails to [email protected]

Organisation Background

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global project to build the world’s largest radio observatory that will play a major role in answering key questions in modern astrophysics and cosmology. It will be one of a small number of cornerstone observatories around the world that will provide astrophysicists and cosmologists with a transformational view of the Universe. The SKA will be constructed in two distinct phases. Among major science goals for the first phase will be to study the history and role of neutral Hydrogen in the Universe from the dark ages to the present-day, and to employ pulsars as probes of fundamental physics. This will be accomplished by the construction of two telescopes, one in South Africa and the other in Western Australia, each with distinct technologies.

The data rates that will emerge from the SKA telescopes will total an estimated 300 PB each year. High performance computing facilities of exascale processing capability are needed to manage these data rates and fully realise and exploit the science ambitions of the SKA. There are a few facilities in the world that are currently working towards achieving this level of performance by the time the SKA is in full operations.

The SKA Organisation was incorporated as a UK company in December 2011 to coordinate global design activities in the ‘Pre-Construction’ Phase of the project. Ten governments are now participating in the project, with others engaged in discussions concerning possible membership. Negotiations are currently underway between the governments of SKA member countries with the aim of establishing the SKA Organisation as an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO) governed by a Convention. It is expected that these negotiations will be concluded in 2017 and the IGO will be set up soon afterwards. It is envisaged that all staff working at the SKA Organisation will transfer to the new IGO.

SKA Organisation is permanently headquartered in a purpose-built building at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, UK.

The Role

The first phase of the SKA is due to become fully operational in 2023 and the operation of the SKA Observatory is currently being planned. With the large data rate, volume and processing capacity required to exploit its scientific potential, the SKA poses a modern-day Big Data challenge. This challenge will be met by establishing a network of SKA Regional Centres (SRCs) within the partner countries.

We are seeking an individual to join the Operations team to support the Head of Science Operations Planning in this activity. The SKA Organisation has formed the SKA Regional Centre Coordination Group (SRCCG) to undertake the work that will lead to the creation of a collaborative network of Regional Centres within the partner countries. An individual is sought to be an active member of the SRCCG, to coordinate and support its work towards developing a data management network, amongst interested parties in the SKA partner countries, based around the concept of the SRCs. The individual shall have good organisational, communication and collaborative skills to take on this role.    Key Duties, Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Under the direction of the SKA Head of Science Operations Planning, the post holder will undertake to support the work of the SRC Coordination Group (SRCCG) in the following areas:
• Develop the requirements for the SRC network as a whole;
• Develop a minimum set of requirements for individual SRCs;
• Develop the operational model and technical requirements for implementing an SKA science data archive across the SRC network;
• Develop the process for pledging resources;
• Develop the process for accreditation of SRCs into the network;
• Develop the Memorandum of Understanding between the SKA Observatory and the SRCs;
• Monitor progress in the SKA regions towards securing resources for SRCs;
• Engage with the National Research and Education Network partners to ensure the data transfer capacity for the global SRC network;
• Develop a set of data challenges to test and verify the suitability of the network, data management and computational resources of the SRCs; and
• Keep the Chair of the SRCCG appraised of any new or recent developments in the fields of high performance computing and distributed computing networks.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the line manager.

Mandatory Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

• Experience with collaborative, international networks for data distribution and archives.
• University degree in Physics or Engineering, another closely related and relevant field, or equivalent expertise.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English, and the ability to influence people in widely differing parts of a complex organisation.
• Ability to work effectively with engineers and scientists from a variety of cultures.
• Willingness to travel, nationally and internationally, and work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends.

Desirable Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience and knowledge of data analysis software and techniques in radio astronomy.
• Experience working in scientific computing and software projects.
• Familiarity with radio astronomy or a closely-related field.
• Experience, or knowledge of, hardware and software technologies in domains such as high performance computing, big data analytics, or cloud computing.

For more information on the SKA project visit http://www.skatelescope.org. SKA Organisation offers a competitive salary, a generous company pension scheme, a relocation allowance (subject to qualifying criteria) and a flexible benefits package. The successful applicant’s workplace will be SKA Organisation’s headquarters at Jodrell Bank Observatory, UK

How to apply:

Please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected], quoting reference RCC/02 and stating where you saw the job advertised. 

Applications should include a summary of your experience, including evidence of your suitability for the role, details of your current remuneration and the names of at least three professional references. 

Please note: your covering letter must contain, as a minimum, details of how you meet the mandatory criteria.  Cover letters that do not address this will not be considered. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 28th February 2017.

Equal Opportunities Statement:
SKA Organisation is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. Our aim to is recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or nationality.

At all stages of the recruitment process and beyond, we strive to treat applicants and employees with a high standard of care, honesty and politeness.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Organisation welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided. If you need equipment or adjustments to enable you to complete your application and/or attend an interview, then please let us know.