Overview
This is an opportunity for a DevOps Engineer or Research Software Engineer with DevOps skills to work at the Cambridge Centre of Excellence for Astronomical Data (CamCEAD) in the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), specifically on two European Space Agency (ESA) science missions, Gaia and Plato.
The successful candidate will work within CamCEADs Gaia and Plato data processing teams. The role will focus on infrastructure provisioning, system administration, release engineering, cybersecurity and software development to execute the on-ground data processing for both Gaia and Plato.
Responsibilities
* Provision, administer and build infrastructure for Linux-based systems, including OpenStack clouds, Kubernetes clusters and related support tools.
* Develop Ansible code for provisioning infrastructure and automation of tasks; diagnose and resolve issues with Linux systems and containers; contribute to the overall systems architecture design.
* Develop and maintain CI/CD systems and perform system testing to improve software development efficiency and release quality.
* Develop infrastructure and processes to improve cybersecurity and contribute to software development of modules and tools to support data processing and analysis.
* Work primarily in a DevOps capacity, while having opportunities to broaden experience and take on a wider range of roles as needed.
* Collaborate with the Gaia and Plato project teams and external science users; interact with the wider CamCEAD team as needed.
Qualifications
* Good practical knowledge of Linux system administration, software development processes and tools, and containerization.
* Some experience of collaborative software development in Python, Java or a similar language is essential.
* Experience with Ansible, Kubernetes; experience with Spark would be advantageous.
* At least a BSc (Hons) degree in a numerate discipline (preferably Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a science with a significant computing element).
Contract, Availability and Applications
The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas. Possession of a valid passport is necessary.
Salary will be Grade 7, £35,608 - £46,049 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.
This is a fixed-term role, initially for a fixed term period to 31st March 2027 with good prospects for further extension subject to grant funding and project development.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 15th March 2026.
Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by: 23rd March 2026
Applications will be reviewed after the closing date. Interviews are provisionally planned for week commencing 23rd March 2026.
For any queries regarding the application process, please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Francesca De Angeli, Research Professor: fda@ast.cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference LG48929 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University of Cambridge is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). DORA recognises the need to improve the ways in which the outputs of scholarly research are evaluated. The University expects candidates to apply the principles of DORA when preparing their applications. We do not use journal level metrics when assessing the quality of research outputs. Applicants should not include journal level metrics, such as the Journal Impact Factor, anywhere in their application materials. More information about DORA, its principles and aims can be found at: https://sfdora.org/ and https://www.researchstrategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/researchpolicy/DORA.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Note: This is an in-person role to enable and encourage efficient collaboration and interaction within project teams, CamCEAD, and the Institute. Flexible working is supported where possible.
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