ESO Vacancy for
a Technical Support Engineer

European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere
Personnel Department
Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 2
D-85748 Garching bei München
Germany

	Nathalie Kastelyn
Fax:	0049-89-32006-497
E-mail:	vacancy@eso.org

Applications are invited for the position of a

Technical Support Engineer

Career Path IV

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION

ESO is establishing an operational Virtual Observatory (VO), which will become an integrated part of its science archive facility. This is part of a coordinated effort in collaboration with other leading astronomical data centres in Europe known as EURO-VO. The goal is to support the uptake of the necessary software protocols and standards in house as well as by other European data centres as necessary to electronically publish astronomical data. The dissemination of knowledge and good practice is a major task of ESO's contribution to EURO-VO.

The Technical Support Engineer will be part of the VOS Department of the Data Management and Operations Division.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will work on VO standard interfaces and tools. He or she will actively participate in the preparation of hands-on technical workshops, collaborate with other data centres, which wish to publish their data in a VO compliant way, adopt and deploy tools. and document such activities as technical recipes for general use.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

A BS in Astronomy or a BA in Software Engineering is required.

The ideal candidate will be familiar with astronomical data and archives, data reduction and VO tools. An excellent command of the English language is required, both spoken and written. The capability to work on projects as a team member with other geographically dispersed groups is a must.

Applicants with additional experience in several of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply: object-oriented concepts and methodologies, manipulation of large volumes of data, XML document processing and programming in Java or C++, web and grid service frameworks, web content management, SQL, Java, Perl or Python.

Duty station: Garching near Munich, Germany

Starting date: As soon as possible

Contract and Remuneration: This is an appointment based on a fixed-term contract (Paid Associate) of one year with the possibility of extension. We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax-free), comprehensive social benefits, and provide financial support in relocating families and the possibility to place your child/children in the Kinderkrippe. Furthermore, an expatriation allowance as well as some other allowances may be added.

Applications: If you are interested in working in a stimulating international research environment and in areas of frontline science and technology, please send us your CV (in English language) and the ESO Application Form by

21 November 2006.

For further information, please contact Mrs. Nathalie Kastelyn, Personnel Department. You are also strongly encouraged to consult the ESO Home Page (http://www.eso.org) for additional information about ESO.

Although preference will be given to nationals of the Member States of ESO: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom, no nationality is à priori excluded. The post is equally open to suitably qualified male and female applicants.

ESO Vacancy for a Technical Support Engineer

ESO Vacancy for
a Technical Support Engineer