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Software Support to XMMNewton Pipeline Processing System
2013-12-04 12:36:28| Space-careers.com Jobs RSS
Aurora is an established supplier of skilled manpower to ESA and in particular at ESTEC and ESAC. Aurora has the opportunity to expand our support within the Science and Robotic Exploration Directorate DSRE. Aurora currently has a team of 18 engineers and scientists at ESAC. Overview The XMMNewton Science Operations Centre SOC, located at the European Space Astronomy Centre ESAC, is, since March 2012, responsible for the scientific data processing of raw data products obtained from the XMMNewton satellite telemetry, done with a dedicated Pipeline Processing System PPS. The final products are archived and made available to the scientific community. The processing may include interaction with several scientific institutes of the consortium Survey Science Centre SSC in Europe and shared responsibility for data quality screening of the products and with the Centre de Donnes astronomiques de Strasbourg CDS, for data crosscorrelation. PPS is a subset of the Scientific Analysis System SAS, an interactive analysis package distributed to the observers for optimum scientific exploitation of the XMM Newton observations performed. The individual SAS programs, known as tasks, are mostly written in C and Fortran 90. Wide use of the Perl scripting language is made for concatenation of tasks in meta tasks. PPS is composed of modules and scripts written also mainly using Perl, but also Python, Cshell and SQL. It uses Sun Grid Engine SGE for scheduling and management of jobs on a computer farm. A Database system Postgres SQL is used for storing top level pipeline configuration, and accessed by web management tools for steering and monitoring pipeline processing. A data transfer system DTS takes care of all the data moves, including packing and unpacking of data, between the different nodes involved in the processing, including the SSC and the CDS. The maintenance and further development of the SAS at the XMMNewton SOC is a responsibility of the SOC Science Support Team SST. Currently, the SAS Team is the unit within the SST in charge of the SAS. The postholder of this position will be a member of the SST and part of the SAS team. In July 2013, the SOC took over from SSC full responsibility for future PPS development and maintenance. Scientific requirements and priorities are set by the Pipeline Scientist one of the SST community support scientists following recommendations from the Project Scientist, who is advised by the Users Group. The main service activities of this position may include but are not limited to Software maintenance of the whole PPS XMMNewton Pipeline Processing System. PPS comprises PPS modules, suite of Perl scripts containing the whole of the data reduction schemes for all the XMMNewton instruments and modes Pipeline Control Management System PCMS, the control unit using a Sun Grid engine to distribute the processes across as many processors as available for maximizing the processing efficiency PCMS DB, a Postgres Database storing all the configuration information RUNDAT DB, a Postgres metadata storing processed data information Pipeline Operations Engine POE, a web management tool for operating and monitoring the data reduction execution Data Processed Screening System DPSS, the system used by screeners for efficient manual data quality and problem screening Data Transfer System, used for transferring data between the different SSC nodes for screening, and for transfer and return of source lists to the Archival Catalogue and Database Subsystem ACDS in Strasbourg for crosscorrelation against archival catalogue data Data Processing of the XMMNewton Data, including all of the following running PCMS from raw Observation Data Files ODF for pointed observations to event files, images, spectra, lightcurves, source lists, etc, running PCMS from raw Slew Data Files SDF for slew observations to images generation of serendipitous source catalogues from the generated source lists, both for pointed as for slew observations in general, support and coordination of Science Products Generation delivery of the processed, screened Science Products to the XMMNewton archive Completeness checks of the Science Products, including the screening reports before delivery to the XMMNewton archive Maintenance tasks will include both first and second line maintenance. The post holder will keep a strong interaction not only within the SAS team, but also with the SOC and SSC screeners, as well as with the CDS. Maintenance activities include the setup and run support to the several pipeline chains eventually under use Operational, Reprocessing, Validation, Development. Specific qualification requirements University degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field. At least 3 years relevant employment experience. Proven experience in the development andor maintenance of space observatory science analysis systems is an advantage. The candidate should be open minded and be able to understand the different subsystems as a whole integrated systems. Experience with Data Base management tools mostly POSTGRES and protocols for information access from SOC systems. Good command of modern programming languages CC, F9095, Perl, TclTk, Good knowledge of UNIX operating system. Ability to operate in a scientific team environment. Good interpersonal and communication skills in English are essential. Legal and Security Requirements All applicants must be legally allowed to work in Spain without the need to obtain a work visa. Non EU citizens cannot be employed by Aurora in Spain. Applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport and degree certificate. Aurora will validate the Degree with the issuing University and provide evidence to ESA. Prior to issuing a letter of employment the applicant shall provide to Aurora a recent official document declaring that they are of good conduct from the country where currently resident. Location The work will be performed at the ESAC, the European Space Astronomy Centre, at Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid, Spain. Contract The contract is until legal retirement age. 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 29 annual days holiday. The candidate shall be required to work oncall during evenings and weekends as part of a rota system for scheduling TOOs. 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. To be considered for this Position Provide prior to 18 December 2013 a summary of why you are a good candidate for the position together with a complete and detailed Recruitment Form to the Managing Director, Mr. Alex Jeanes, at email alexjeanesaurora.nl quoting reference SRE53. Aurora can provide a maximum of 3 candidates to ESA for this position. Aurora will agree conditional employment terms and conditions with candidates before presenting their recruitment form to ESA. ESA will select the candidates for interview 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.
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