Expression of Interest | Computing & Software| Multiple Positions - SKA-Low Telescope

Acknowledgement of Country  

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.   

SKAO in Australia 

The SKA Observatory (SKAO) is a next-generation radio astronomy facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics. Enabled by cutting-edge technology, it promises to have a major impact on society, in science and beyond. 

The SKAO is an intergovernmental organisation bringing together nations from around the world. 

The Observatory has an International footprint and consists of the SKAO Global Headquarters in the UK, the SKAO’s two telescopes at radio-quiet sites in South Africa and Australia, and associated facilities to support the operations of the telescopes. 

Constructing and operating these telescopes will position the SKAO as the leading research infrastructure for radio astronomy globally, providing science capabilities to the international astronomical community for decades to come.  

Australia will host the SKAO’s low frequency telescope (SKA-Low) in remote Western Australia on Wajarri Yamaji Country.  

The Traditional Owners and native title holders, the Wajarri Yamaji, have gifted CSIRO with the traditional name Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara for the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, home to the SKA-Low telescope. The traditional name means ‘sharing sky and stars’ in the Wajarri language.  

CSIRO are hiring for SKAO 

The Construction phase for the SKA-Low Telescope has now begun, with our Australian team’s activity increasing at a rapid rate. Due to this, we are now embarking on a hiring campaign that will allow the SKA-Low team to attract world-class talent with a diverse range of skills, minds, opinions, experiences, and educations, that can join the team and assist in constructing the world’s largest radio telescope right here in Western Australia.  

We have a range of exciting opportunities available within our Computing and Software team, from entry level positions through to seasoned professionals and experts in their fields. We are seeking people who are passionate about what they do and why they do it, who will be great assets to the SKA-Low team.  

Where we work 

In Australia, SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO to operate the SKA-Low Telescope. SKA-Low teams will operate out of: 

• Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country. 

• Our Engineering Operations Centre on Nhanhangardi, Naaguja, Wilynyu and Amangu Country in Geraldton.  

• Our Science Operations Centre on Whadjuk Noongar Country in Perth. 

If you have a location you would prefer to work from, please make this clear in your expression of interest.  

Overview of who we are looking for   

The SKA-Low Computing and Software team will be one of the largest business units across the SKA-Low teams. With roles ranging from IT support through to High Performance Computing specialties, the team is creating an environment where learning and development are promoted across the different disciplines, allowing for internal growth of all team members.  

Positions within the Computing and Software team will play crucial roles in the construction and operation of the SKA-Low Telescope.  

We are looking for candidates that are currently studying, working in, or would like to be working in the Computing and Software sector. If any of the below sounds like you, then please apply now to express your interest!   

Data Processing Software Engineers (Perth) 

• Experience in Parallel/HPC programming. 

• Experience with data pipeline software frameworks (Dask, Ray, Hadoop, etc.). 

• Use or development of Scientific Computing Software running at scale. 

Site Reliability Engineers (Perth) 

• Linux/Unix clusters system administration. 

• Knowledge in cluster management using tools such as Openstack and kubernetes. 

• Experience with scripting programming languages such as python and bash. 

• Experience in administering medium to large scale distributed storage systems (Ceph or equivalent). 

CSIRO is an Equal Opportunity employer working hard to recruit world-class talent that represents the diversity across our society. As part of our commitment to equitable employment outcomes for under-represented groups, preference will be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and/or women and/or people with a disability who meet the role criteria.  

Who is eligible to express their interest  

To be eligible to work in CSIRO you must be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, or hold valid working rights throughout the duration of the tenure. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent. 

Where to from here!  

If you are interested in opportunities within the SKA-Low Computing and Software team and meet the above candidate requirements, please apply to register your interest! If you prefer to have an informal chat before putting your EOI (Expression of Interest), you can contact the SKA-Low Talent Acquisition Specialist, Mark Rice, on mark.rice@csiro.au with your best times to discuss your EOI.   

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates, are also welcomed to contact our CSIRO Indigenous Talent team at IndigenousCareers@csiro.au for more information. 

Who will view my EOI? 

SKA-Low Directors, Group Leaders and Talent Acquisition are partnering together to review your expression of interests. We are excited to hear from you and will be in touch with you over the coming weeks where there is a potential match to an opportunity that may be your future role!   

When will the EOI close? 

This advertisement will remain open, and we reserve the right to withdraw this ad once we have successfully filled all vacant positions. 

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