Software Engineer for Science Archives and VO data distribution and interoperability

System and Software Engineer for Science Archives and Virtual Observatory Development(SOE-41)

Aurora is an established and approved supplier of skilled manpower to ESA and in particular at ESTEC and ESAC. There is a great opportunity to join the Aurora team supporting ESA at ESAC, near Madrid, for the following work. In particular Aurora currently has more than 10 staff supporting various missions at ESAC.

Overview

Within the Science Operations Department’s overall responsibility for scientific operations development and execution for astronomy missions, the Science Archives and Computer Engineering Unit carries in particular the role of developing science archives, providing easy access to mission data for the scientific community worldwide. A Science Archives Team in ESAC works on various archive projects (ISO, XMM-Newton, INTEGRAL, HERSCHEL, ROSETTA, MARS EXPRESS, SMART-1, VENUS EXPRESS, SOHO and more to come). All mission archives are on-line via the World Wide Web, with data distribution usually being done via FTP. Modular and flexible multi-tier and client–server architecture –together with the use of an object-oriented approach, Java and XML– allows configurability and re-use of systems across projects.

Furthermore, ESA, through the ESAC Science Archives Team is playing a greater role in the Virtual Observatory (VO) worldwide to position itself as THE main VO actor for all European space-based astronomical data. A VO is a network of interoperating data archives and software tools that use the connectivity provided by the Internet (and in future the GRID) to form a scientific research environment in which astronomical research programs can be conducted. The vast astronomical archives and databases around the world, together with analysis tools and computational services, are linked together into an integrated facility, not only connecting astronomical data centres and providers but also providing collective capabilities beyond those possible in any individual archive. No one in the Science Archives Team is dedicated to any archive in particular, but everybody works on similar sub-system(s) across all the projects. There are database engineers, experts on user interface and middle-tier and other specialists on data storage, data distribution and interoperability aspects.

Tasks

Specific tasks related to Science Archives and VO data distribution and interoperability applications are the following:

Design, develop, deploy and maintain Science Archive Data Distribution systems, which allow the users to retrieve archive data products via FTP or via an off-line physical media
Design, develop, deploy and maintain the Science Archive interoperability services, which provide a scriptable interface to the science archive databases and data products.
Design, develop, deploy and maintain the VO compliant interoperability systems, making sure all ESA Science Archives at ESAC are VO accessible
Design, develop, deploy and maintain an ESA VO Portal, including an ESA multi-missions archive based on VO protocols
Design, develop, deploy and maintain VO applications and VO clients (Registry, VOSpec,)
Participating in the VO interoperability working groups where VO standards are discussed and defined.
Configuration control and documentation tasks relevant to the above mentioned tasks.

Specific qualification requirements

University degree in computer science, or software engineering, or scientific discipline, or equivalent.

Specific knowledge is required in the following areas:

Extensive experience (at least two years) in the JAVA programming language
Extensive experience in Web technologies (http, JSP, web services, …)
Extensive experience in SQL and XML
ESA Ground Segment and Scientific Archives Software engineering
Experience in designing multi-tier architecture application in the context of Scientific Archives and Virtual Observatory
Experience in Data Distribution applications through FTP
Experience in the Virtual Observatory standards and protocols, working groups, working processes and environment
UNIX SUN Solaris or Linux, and PC/Windows environment
Experience on ESA software engineering processes and software configuration control tools and some scientific background would be an asset.
Able to operate in a team environment.
Good interpersonal and communication skills are an advantage.
Be fluent in English, one of the official languages of ESA.

All applicants must hold a valid passport from a country of the European Union.

Location

The work will be performed at the ESAC, the European Space Astronomy Centre, at Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid, Spain.

Contract

The work is initially for one year with probable extensions.

You will be registered for both social security and tax in Spain.
The standard working hours are 40 per week. There are 12 public holidays and an additional 27 annual days holiday.
Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included.
Aurora can assist financially and provide recent experience information for relocation.

Summary

Aurora's successful formula is ensuring the happiness of employees and customers.

To be considered for this Position

Provide prior to 12 March 2009 a complete and detailed Recruitment Form to Mr. Alex Jeanes, user alexjeanes at domain aurora.nl quoting reference SOE-41.

Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting their recruitment form to ESA on 15 March 2009. ESA will select the candidates for interview at ESAC and Aurora will provide for interview travel costs. Should ESA select you then a formal letter of employment shall be issued with an agreed start date.