NCSA Position Notice -- Search #A1200444

Research Scientist

CyberApplications and Communities Directorate

Overview

The National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has one Research Scientist position available in our Dark Energy Survey project under the Cyberapplications and Communities Directorate. The Dark Energy Camera, after eight years of planning and construction, has begun operations to produce a five-color map of 5,000 square degrees of the southern sky. The Dark Energy Survey (DES) collaboration will use the new camera to carry out the largest galaxy survey ever undertaken, and will use that data to carry out four probes of dark energy, studying galaxy clusters, supernovae, the large-scale clumping of galaxies and weak gravitational lensing. This is the first time all four methods will be possible in a single experiment.

Under the DES collaboration, this scientist will work within a group of scientists and research programmers from NCSA and other institutions to process and analyze the data and participate in the overall operations of the survey. The survey software includes a number of astronomy codes to process images and produce catalogs. The system also includes Scientific Quality Control codes, which facilitate automatic processing of images. The Research Scientist will work to process observed, simulated, and test data, identify issues in the processing system and incorporate enhancements to the science codes and scientific quality controls into the DES Data Management System. The incumbent will also participate in continuing software development for overall operation of the survey.

Required Education and Experience

• Master's degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, engineering or other science-related field required (astronomy preferred but not required). Alternative degree fields will be considered if accompanied by equivalent experience (depending on nature and depth of experience as it relates to current NCSA business needs). Degree must be completed by time of official hire date.
• Two years' experience in one or more areas of practical optical astronomical image processing.
• Familiarity with astronomy-related image reduction and analysis software.

Preferred Experience

• Ph. D. preferred.
• Prior experience with the AstrOmatic tool kit preferred.
• Programming experience in astronomy-related software tools, Python and SQL experience preferred.
• Experience working in a scientific or research environment.
• Additional experience in astronomical image processing.
• Preferred experience with astronomical sky surveys.

This is a regular academic professional position at NCSA and is an annually renewable, 12/12, 100%-time appointment with regular University benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and start date will be as soon as possible after the close date of the search. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, although no hiring decisions will be made until after the search has closed.

To apply, please create your candidate profile at jobs.illinois.edu and upload your CV/resume by the close date, January 31, 2013. Contact information for three references must be included on the application (letters maybe also be uploaded or sent to the contact below). For full consideration, candidates must complete the Hiretouch application process by the above date.

Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. For further information regarding our application procedures, you may visit www.ncsa.illinois.edu or email Jonathan Howell.