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This role is based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK, and is a 3-year fixed-term contract.
At the SKAO, we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation, and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers worldwide are already involved, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavors of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will operate two telescopes across three continents. Since early 2021, it has become an intergovernmental organization, one of the few such science infrastructures worldwide.
Our Global HQ is located near Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It hosts a rapidly expanding international team of over a hundred members working collaboratively and inclusively, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.
Being part of Team SKA means contributing to an extraordinary project that will advance human knowledge for decades. We offer a diverse, multicultural working environment, 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and relocation support (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment, and more. Join us!
The SKAO has two new opportunities as Graduate Software Engineers. In this role, you will join a development program guiding you through various areas of computing and software at SKAO, including:
* High Performance Computing
* Distributed Control Systems
* Web Applications
* Cloud Computing
* Corporate IT
The focus will be to become an effective contributor to SKA software development in one of these areas. Upon completing the program, a review will assess potential promotion and increased contribution to SKAO's science and research activities.
We welcome applications from all nationalities, especially from member countries. However, visa and relocation support are not provided for these roles, and applicants must comply with the terms of a UK-based local contract, details of which are accessible on SKAO's recruitment portal.
SKAO is committed to an inclusive and flexible working environment, accommodating colleagues' needs while fulfilling the Observatory's objectives.
This role may require working across different time zones, with flexible hours supported in agreement with the line manager.
This role is a 3-year fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent upon successful completion.
The Role
As a leading research infrastructure, SKAO develops software across various domains to enable telescope operations.
In this role, you will grow as a software engineer within our organization. We support skill development through training and opportunities to work closely with experienced engineers. You will also have chances to attend conferences and industry events related to your interests.
The three-year program includes a mix of on-the-job training and formal events, allowing you to experience different aspects of software development at SKAO:
* In the first year, experience working in various areas of SKAO, organized around SKA Program Increments (3 months), with potential team changes each PI. A mentor will coordinate your technical activities.
* In the second and third years, focus on a specific area of interest, working as a developer alongside senior engineers in a stable team.
Basic technical training and opportunities to present work at conferences and SKAO events will also be provided.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities, and Duties
The main functions include:
* Working effectively with development teams, embracing agile practices based on experimentation and feedback.
* Defining and delivering short-term objectives, and presenting progress in team, ART, or system demos.
* Engaging in continuous learning through training sessions and certifications where possible.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
* Recent or expected degree (equivalent to 2:1 or above in the UK) in Computer Science, STEM, or related fields.
* A passion for science or engineering, with a strong understanding and interest in software and computing technologies, and basic programming skills.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
The ideal candidate would also have:
* A passion for software development and technologies.
* An interest in scientific research and astronomy.
* Willingness and ability to travel to SKAO partner sites worldwide, typically up to twice a year for about a week each time, subject to travel restrictions.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
SKA Observatory values diversity as a strength. We aim to create an inclusive environment where everyone belongs, and diverse perspectives thrive. We are committed to recruiting and retaining talented individuals regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality, or background.
We especially encourage female applicants, recognizing historical underrepresentation in science and engineering fields. Adjustments for applicants with disabilities will be provided during the recruitment process.
We welcome all candidates, especially from member countries. For more details on how to apply, please visit our recruitment portal.
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