Applications Developer

Pasadena, CA, United States

Applications Developer

Caltech

Job Category: Fulltime Regular

Exempt Overtime Eligible: Overtime Eligible

Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

As a part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech, the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI; nexsci.caltech.edu) provides science operations, analysis tools and archive services related to the discovery and characterization of planets beyond our solar system (exoplanets) using data from observatories in space and on the ground. NExScI operates as part of IPAC on the Caltech campus (www.ipac.caltech.edu ) which provides support for NASA's NEOWISE mission, 6 other NASA missions in development, more than half of NASA's astronomy archives as well as ground-based observatories like the Zwicky Transient Facility. Together IPAC and NExScI have supported more than 20 astronomy missions, including Spitzer, Kepler, TESS and the 10 m Keck telescopes, which have contributed to major advances in exoplanet science, astrophysics and cosmology. As a member of the NExScI engineering team, you will be working to enable scientists to discover and explore the properties of exoplanets orbiting stars throughout the galaxy.

The Keck Observatory Archive (KOA) is a collaboration between NExScI and the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii. It archives at NExScI all data acquired by the 10-m telescopes at the W. M. Keck Observatory and makes them available through web interfaces and a Python API.

KOA is undergoing an exciting and dramatic expansion. Data acquired each night are now ingested close to near-real time, and science ready processing of these data are ingested no more than 24 hours later. In support of expansion, KOA is developing a new Python-based software infrastructure and new outward facing web page. Real-time ingestion prepares KOA for the scientific analysis of the torrent of transient alerts that will be generated by the next generation of survey telescopes, such as the Rubin Observatory. This will offer to a scientific programmer, extraordinary opportunities to develop powerful new services that will be at the forefront of astronomical research. In the coming years, unique new instruments at the observatory will offer further opportunities for enhanced services, particularly those that involve cross-matching and fusion of data from multiple sources. New science applications are anticipated to comply with the data access standards defined by the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA), which are now in worldwide use in astronomy, and will be made Open Source.

Job Duties

Work with the KOA team, especially scientists, to define and implement public-facing science applications.[SC1] and [BG(2]. These applications will often involve accessing astronomy data at remote archives and combining them with KOA data.

Support the development of the archive query infrastructure.

Support the maintenance and operations of the archive.

Respond to technical questions from users, where appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

These are a set of skills and experiences which are necessary for your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of the position:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Physics, Astrophysics, Computer Science, or a related field.

2 years of experience programming in Python.

Working knowledge of database programming and Structured Query Language (SQL).

Strong oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to work well with others on a small team.

Working knowledge of the Unix/Linux operating system.

Experience with modern software development techniques including configuration management principles and tools, source code version control (such as git/github).

Preferred Qualifications

These are a set of skills and experiences which will add to your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of the position. The following attributes would make you a better fit for this position, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you.

Master's degree or equivalent experience in Physics, Astrophysics, or a related field.

4 or more years of experience programming in Python.

Knowledge of technologies such as JSON and HTML

Experience working with astronomical data sets and the astropy software environment.

Working knowledge of C.

Experience with shell scripting.

Experience developing algorithms and software for astronomical data analysis.

Knowledge of the international data access protocols defined by the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA).

Required Document

Resume

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://hr.caltech.edu/work/job_openings

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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