Engineer working on the PLATO mission

The Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) is seeking an Engineer to join the Software and Data Engineering department of the Technological Unit of the ICCUB. 

The ICCUB (https://icc.ub.edu) is an interdisciplinary center devoted to fundamental research in the fields of cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics. The ICCUB Technology Unit focuses on inventing and building the ambitious and innovative detection instruments of the future. This involves collaborating on large projects related to particle physics experiments, space missions, astronomical facilities and more.

The ICCUB is a center with more than 60 long term scientists, 20 engineers and 80 postdoctoral researchers (55% international) and PhD students (30% international) offering an international and multicultural environment. The ICCUB also hosts a vibrant fundamental research program in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics, with a strong technology unit supporting our participation in international collaborations in observational astronomy and experimental particle physics. 

Job description:

Currently, the unit is composed by a team of around 20 engineers and researchers divided in two departments: Electronics & Instrumentation, and Software & Data Engineering. The Software and Data Engineering division designs software to help producing high quality datasets, which give significance to the experiments and to the Physics behind, like Gaia (https://sci.esa.int/web/gaia) or LHCb (http://lhcb.web.cern.ch/).

Since 2018, the ICCUB participates at scientific and technological levels in the PLATO mission (https://sci.esa.int/web/plato). PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) is the third medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme. Its objective is to find and study a large number of extrasolar planetary systems, with emphasis on the properties of terrestrial planets in the habitable zone around solar-like stars. PLATO has also been designed to investigate seismic activity in stars, enabling the precise characterisation of the planet host star, including its age.

We search for a highly motivated Engineer with experience in collaborative software design and development for high-efficiency data handling and communication systems.

To know more about the research interests of the ICCUB, please follow this link.

Taks:

The main tasks are to design and implement the repository, interfaces and communication tools for the optimal ground-based follow-up of exoplanet candidates of the PLATO mission. It will involve regular meetings and teleconferences with experts from other European centres working on PLATO.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of:
  • Programming, including C/C++, Python and Java
  • Databases (e.g. MySQL or Postgres) and SQL language
  • Web technologies (e.g. REST API, JavaScript and derivatives)
  • Linux and Shell scripting environments
  • Collaborative development (e.g. Git)
  • Basic knowledge on astronomical concepts, especially in the operation of terrestrial observatories, is encouraged.
• Experience in international projects, especially in space missions
• Degree in computer engineering, in engineering on communication technologies and services, in mathematics, or in physics.
• MECR intermediate English level B1 certificate.

Employment conditions:

We offer a full-time contract for a period of six months with anticipated renewal for up to two additional years; this is contingent upon the availability of funds and job performance.

Gross monthly salary will be around 2.200€ (14 payments/year) with included social security and public healthcare benefits, covering spouse and children.

Position is expected to begin in two months, although exceptions can be made in cases of maternity/paternity or other special circumstances. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

ICCUB offers and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation (for additional information please see the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call or email secretaria@icc.ub.edu with their request.

Application procedure:

Documents that will be required for your application are:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation letter

All applications must be submitted through this link. It will be appreciated if you send a copy to secretaria@icc.ub.edu

Deadline:

Applications must be submitted before November 22nd.

Funding:

This study was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU(PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat de Catalunya.