Instrument scientist

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Archive Date: 
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Science Engineering
Institution Classification/Type: 
Research Laboratory
Institution/Company: 
ASTRON, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy
Department Name: 
HR
Street Line 1: 
Oude Hoogeveensedijk 4
City: 
Dwingeloo
State/Province: 
Drenthe
Zip/Postal: 
7991PD
Country: 
Netherlands
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Instrument scientist for Science Data Centre Operations

ASTRON's mission is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen via the development of novel and innovative technologies, the operation of world-class radio astronomy facilities — such as LOFAR — and the pursuit of fundamental astronomical research.

ASTRON has embarked upon a program to develop a Science Data Centre (SDC): an initiative to maximise the scientific impact of our world-leading instrumentation portfolio by making data products and analysis tools available to scientists in the most effective ways. The SDC will provide services including hosting and distribution of petabyte-scale data archives from cutting-edge instrumentation, bulk and interactive data processing capabilities, and supporting services for the community to form collaborations, request resources, and execute scientific observing and data analysis programs. The SDC system encompasses a federated storage and compute infrastructure distributed over Europe, and a suite of services, tools, and databases that are developed in collaboration with the astronomical community and our national and international partners. 

Developing and operating such an ambitious facility requires support from a strong operational unit. The newly formed Science Data Centre Operations group (SDCO) enables astrophysicists of all levels to make fundamental scientific discoveries by accessing processing/analysis tools and the instrumental and science-ready data generated by ASTRON's world leading radio telescopes (LOFAR, WSRT/APERTIF/ARTS) and, in the future, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Within the SDCO group there is a position available for an Instrument Scientist who has thorough knowledge of radio astronomical instrumentation and interferometry and has good computational and data science skills. With your astronomical knowledge you will support the operations, maintenance and technical development work by internal software engineers, operators, and instrument engineers. With your technical expertise, you will support the external users/scientists with their research projects.

Depending on your scientific and technical background and interests, your tasks could include:

  • Definition of and involvement in the development of Science Data Centre (SDC) services;
  • astronomical commissioning and testing of SDC functionalities;
  • end-to-end support of users: advising and assisting them to design, prepare, and execute observations, and with the further processing and analysis of their data;
  • monitoring and optimisation of the performance of the SDC systems;
  • supporting the generation of science-ready data products;
  • acting as a liaison between ASTRON and the astronomical community;
  • pursuing your own astronomical research next to your support duties (up to 20% of your time).

If you feel you could contribute to the challenges within the SDC with your personality, acquired skills, competences and experience, we would like to invite you to respond to this vacancy and explore this further together.

We offer

  • A full-time, 38 hours/week temporary appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of two years with a possible extension of one year based on good performance; 
  • a gross monthly salary on a full-time basis, in the range of € 2.846 to € 4.514 depending on relevant experience;
  • a holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.33% of the gross annual salary; 
  • a solid pension scheme (ABP);
  • 42 vacation days per year on a full-time basis;
  • employment conditions tailored to your needs (part-time appointment, parental leave, working from home, etc.);
  • opportunities and encouragement to grow and develop yourself and your career;
  • ambitious colleagues driven by collaboration in an international work environment;
  • beautiful premises in the heart of one of Drenthe's National Parks.

The organisation

ASTRON is the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. Its main mission is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen, via the development of new and innovative technologies, the operation of world-class radio astronomy facilities, and the pursuit of fundamental astronomical research. Engineers and astronomers at ASTRON have an outstanding international reputation for novel technology development, and fundamental research in galactic and extra-galactic astronomy. ASTRON is part of the institute organization of NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research).

ASTRON is committed to increasing its staff diversity, and we are especially interested in applications from women and other traditionally under-represented groups.

Additional information

More information about ASTRON can be found on our websites www.astron.nl and www.jobsatastron.nl. For more information on the content of this vacancy, please contact Agnes Mika, Head Science Data Center Operations a.i., [email protected]. For other information about this vacancy or procedure please contact Erika Timmerman, HR Advisor, phone: +31 521 595 100 or e-mail: [email protected].

How to apply

You can apply for this job by sending your letter and curriculum vitae to ASTRON through www.jobsatastron.nl. The first closing date is 18 March 2022. Candidates will be considered until the position has been filled.

Included Benefits: 
  • A full-time, 38 hours/week temporary appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of two years with a possible extension of one year based on good performance; 
  • a gross monthly salary on a full-time basis, in the range of € 2.846 to € 4.514 depending on relevant experience;
  • a holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.33% of the gross annual salary; 
  • a solid pension scheme (ABP);
  • 42 vacation days per year on a full-time basis;
  • employment conditions tailored to your needs (part-time appointment, parental leave, working from home, etc.);
  • opportunities and encouragement to grow and develop yourself and your career;
  • ambitious colleagues driven by collaboration in an international work environment;
  • beautiful premises in the heart of one of Drenthe's National Parks.
Application Deadline: 
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Erika Timmerman
Title: 
HR advisor
Institution/Company: 
ASTRON, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy
Department Name: 
HR
Street Line 1: 
Oude Hoogeveensedijk 4
City: 
Dwingeloo
State/Province: 
Drenthe
Zip/Postal Code: 
7991PD
Country: 
Netherlands
Phone: 
+31 521 595 100
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Agnes Mika, Head Science Data Center Operations a.i.