California Institute of Technology
Staff Scientist
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States, 91122
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
IPAC at Caltech invites applications to the science staff from highly qualified individuals for a full-time scientist position to work with the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA).
IPAC (https://www.ipac.caltech.edu/), part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech (www.caltech.edu), provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to enhance discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. IRSA (http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu), as the steward of scientific data sets delivered by NASA's Astrophysics missions, enables transformative scientific research from those missions. IRSA ingests petabyte-scale imaging datasets, maintains multi-billion row databases, and develops a variety of tools for accessing, visualizing, and analyzing data from cutting-edge astronomical facilities. We are developing services for researchers seeking to exploit our petabyte-scale holdings of astronomy mission data using data science techniques. We are also preparing to support upcoming astrophysics missions including: SPHEREx, a NASA mission which will conduct a spectroscopic, infrared survey of the entire sky; Euclid, a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to study the geometry and nature of the dark Universe; and NEO Surveyor, a mission designed to discover and characterize most of the potentially hazardous asteroids that are near the Earth.
Job Duties
As a scientist at IRSA, your assignments will include at least some of the following:
Working with software developers to develop and test software IRSA uses to serve data, both the graphical user interface (UI) and application programming interface (API).
Testing ingested data to assure it is accurate before releasing it.
Writing scientific requirements for data access interfaces, in coordination with data providers and developers. Being the primary contact between IRSA and a given data provider through the development process.
Writing, testing, and editing documentation.
Participating in meetings (virtual and in-person).
Attending AAS meetings to represent IRSA in the astronomical community.
Presenting to the IRSA User Panel and other review committees as need be.
Writing Python notebooks to demonstrate science use cases with data available at IRSA and complementary archives.
Scientific research.
Basic Qualifications
If you have the following in your background, then we want to hear about your interest in joining our team:
PhD degree in astrophysics or a closely related field. Applicants should have at least two years of experience beyond the PhD.
Experience with using infrared and/or optical data from space or the ground.
Experience with programming in Python, R, or other scientific programming.
Good written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on the ability to share ideas in a collaborative and diverse setting.
Preferred Qualifications
Beyond these basic qualifications, there are skills and experiences which will add to your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of this job. Any of the following might give you a head start here, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you!
Familiarity with IRSA, its data, and/or services.
Fluency with software configuration management principles and tools, source code version control (e.g., Git/GitHub) and issue/bug tracking systems (e.g., Jira).
Demonstrated ability to work both within a large, multi-institutional, and diverse team, and at times, work independently.
Familiarity with VO protocols (e.g., CAOM, ObsCore, etc.).
Required Documents
CV
Cover letter
List of three professional references
People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and our casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and lasting relationships. IPAC staff have access to Caltech's benefits programs and facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.
Hiring Range$71,000 - $105,500 per year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.
EEO StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to
eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf .
Disability AccommodationsIf you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Summary
IPAC at Caltech invites applications to the science staff from highly qualified individuals for a full-time scientist position to work with the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA).
IPAC (https://www.ipac.caltech.edu/), part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech (www.caltech.edu), provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to enhance discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. IRSA (http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu), as the steward of scientific data sets delivered by NASA's Astrophysics missions, enables transformative scientific research from those missions. IRSA ingests petabyte-scale imaging datasets, maintains multi-billion row databases, and develops a variety of tools for accessing, visualizing, and analyzing data from cutting-edge astronomical facilities. We are developing services for researchers seeking to exploit our petabyte-scale holdings of astronomy mission data using data science techniques. We are also preparing to support upcoming astrophysics missions including: SPHEREx, a NASA mission which will conduct a spectroscopic, infrared survey of the entire sky; Euclid, a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to study the geometry and nature of the dark Universe; and NEO Surveyor, a mission designed to discover and characterize most of the potentially hazardous asteroids that are near the Earth.
Job Duties
As a scientist at IRSA, your assignments will include at least some of the following:
Working with software developers to develop and test software IRSA uses to serve data, both the graphical user interface (UI) and application programming interface (API).
Testing ingested data to assure it is accurate before releasing it.
Writing scientific requirements for data access interfaces, in coordination with data providers and developers. Being the primary contact between IRSA and a given data provider through the development process.
Writing, testing, and editing documentation.
Participating in meetings (virtual and in-person).
Attending AAS meetings to represent IRSA in the astronomical community.
Presenting to the IRSA User Panel and other review committees as need be.
Writing Python notebooks to demonstrate science use cases with data available at IRSA and complementary archives.
Scientific research.
Basic Qualifications
If you have the following in your background, then we want to hear about your interest in joining our team:
PhD degree in astrophysics or a closely related field. Applicants should have at least two years of experience beyond the PhD.
Experience with using infrared and/or optical data from space or the ground.
Experience with programming in Python, R, or other scientific programming.
Good written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on the ability to share ideas in a collaborative and diverse setting.
Preferred Qualifications
Beyond these basic qualifications, there are skills and experiences which will add to your ability to contribute to the roles and responsibilities of this job. Any of the following might give you a head start here, but even if these do not describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you!
Familiarity with IRSA, its data, and/or services.
Fluency with software configuration management principles and tools, source code version control (e.g., Git/GitHub) and issue/bug tracking systems (e.g., Jira).
Demonstrated ability to work both within a large, multi-institutional, and diverse team, and at times, work independently.
Familiarity with VO protocols (e.g., CAOM, ObsCore, etc.).
Required Documents
CV
Cover letter
List of three professional references
People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and our casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and lasting relationships. IPAC staff have access to Caltech's benefits programs and facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.
Hiring Range$71,000 - $105,500 per year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.
EEO StatementWe are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to
eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf .
Disability AccommodationsIf you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr