JOB: Database and System Administrator (f/m) Science Data center LOFAR

Job description:

 

You will work on the database and hardware infrastructure of the LOFAR telescope. This unique radio telescope that consists of antenna stations spread over Europe connected by a high speed network to a central processing facility consisting of a GPU-based cluster for the near-real-time processing and an HPC compute cluster of 50 multi-core nodes with a multi-petabyte Lustre filesystem. The system generates six petabytes of science data-products each year that are made available to the astronomical community via a distributed archive.

 

You will work within a team of ten software engineers and administrators on maintaining the database structures and planning their future development. You strive to provide excellent service to our scientific clients by delivering them the data they need for their research. You will collaborate with scientists at ASTRON and at European universities and with specialists at some of the top HPC institutes in Europe to build towards the next generation of scientific data services. These services are centered around our fast growing distributed data stores of LOFAR and WSRT (Westerbork telescope), currently totaling more than 20 PB. Together with the software team in both Radio Observatory and Research & Development Division you will enhance the overall performance and reliability of the system and prepare it for future developments.

 

Job requirements:

 

    A master’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical discipline

    Proven experience with setting up and planning the developments of (open source) databases

    Proven experience with Linux

    Experience with C++ and Python programming is a pre

    Experience with container solutions like Docker and the Lustre file system is a big pre

    Experience with monitoring and control solutions is a pre

    Affinity for complex technological environments & research supporting organizations

    Have a customer oriented attitude; serve the scientific community

    Explain the current and future data(base) structures, and how to optimally utilize them, to your colleagues

    Team player, but also good at taking the initiative, based on your specialism.

 

Offer:

 

    We offer a contract for two years. Extension after that period is planned but depends on the formation of the Science Data Center.

    Besides a pleasant and challenging work environment we have a good package of benefits like a pension plan, group discounts on individual insurances and travel expenses.

    We offer flexible conditions of employment, tailored to your personal situation.

    We offer generous relocation expenses and support with finding accommodation.

 

The organization:

 

ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, is located just outside Dwingeloo in Drenthe. Its 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 and the pursuit of fundamental astronomical research.

 

The Radio Observatory at ASTRON operates the LOFAR telescope as well as the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) including the soon to be completed APERTIF upgrade

 

Besides the Radio Observatory, ASTRON hosts a dynamic Astronomy Group and a world-leading Research and Development Group. Together these three departments specialize in the development, the operations and the scientific exploitation of radio astronomical instruments. ASTRON is a major partner in the worldwide collaboration working towards the realization of the future Square Kilometre Array telescope.

 

Information:

 

For more information about ASTRON check out our website www.jobsatastron.nl andwww.astron.nl. More information about this vacancy please contact Diana Verweij, Head HR and Communications, phone: +31 521 595100 or e-mail: personnel@astron.nl

 

Reactions:

 

You can apply for this job by sending your motivation letter and resumé with reference number 2015-12-046, via the ‘Direct solliciteren’ button below. The closing date is 26 February 2016. Candidates will be considered until the position has been filled.