Astronomical Software Developer

This position has a term length of three years.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.

Position Summary

The Astronomical Software Developers will join the research team building the Canadian Data-Intensive Astrophysics Platform (CanDIAPL), an international, university-led team based in Canada. They will be responsible for co-developing software infrastructure hosted on CanDIAPL servers operated with the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (Alliance) and the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA).

Primary tasks will include: creating a portal that enables remote users to view multi-messenger astrophysical data; and developing the software pipelines supporting automated transfer of scientific data from the MeerKAT telescope to Alliance computational facilities.

This work will include creating and maintaining specific software repositories that: retrieve and create images and other data from the MeerKAT telescope, the MWA Telescope, the Rubin Observatory, and other publicly available astronomical resources; use these data to detect astronomical sources; and transfer key data at dramatically reduced size to CanDIAPL servers operated with the Alliance.

• Development of software to support a scientific project, conforming to project-level development standards.
  • Design novel solutions to scientific challenges set at the project level.
  • Carry out independent investigations of candidate solutions to problems by reviewing scientific and technical literature.
  • Test software to ensure it meets science goals and performance standards.
• Document computer code.
• Create tutorials, architecture documents and presentations of the software components developed in the project.
• Attend weekly team meetings with supervisor to discuss weekly goals.
• Attend developer teleconferences.
• Commit computer code to the central repository, integrating contributions with other developers.
• Communicate with other developers at the University of Alberta and external sites as needed to manage individual development tasks.
• Meet with project management as needed to address issues as they arise.
• Travel to multi-site meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BSc in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or related fields.
• 6 months of experience developing software for data analysis of physical systems (e.g., astrophysical, geographic, meteorological, etc.).
• Demonstrated capability to develop software in languages required by the project (Python and/or C++).

The ideal candidate will have some or all of the following qualifications:

• Experience working with Python, Python visualization (matplotlib), and numerical analysis packages in Python (numpy, scipy).
• Database integration and maintenance experience;
• Experience working with collaborative software development and source control software (git);
• Experience working with debugging, optimizing, and performance testing of software;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new technologies;
• Experience working with astronomical databases, astronomical images, or radio interferometry.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your cover letter and resume. The cover letter should clearly connect aspects of the CV to the Qualifications (both required and for the ideal candidate, as applicable).

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.