Scientific Data Analyst I - 2year Term

National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Green Bank (WV); On-site; USD 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, dental and vision plans

retirement benefit

Job summary

National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, seeks a Scientific Data Analyst I for a 2-year term to support GBT observing, data reduction, and user training. The role includes on-call support and collaboration with scientific staff on proposals and documentation.

Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in astronomy or physics and 1–5 years' relevant experience, with Python and data analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Astronomy, Physics or related field.
• One to five years of relevant experience; advanced astronomy degree may substitute for years of experience.
• Working with scientific data products reducing, plotting, and analyzing data.
• Observational experience with telescopes; software testing and debugging in support of users and telescope operations.

Responsibilities

• Responds to observer questions regarding GBT observing and data reduction.
• Maintains a working knowledge of issues, observing, and data reduction techniques for the GBT.
• Assists scientific staff with training, software testing, and procedures for user support and/or telescope operations.
• Aids in observer facing and internal documentation efforts.
• Provide back-up for all GBT scripts and projects.
• Technical reviews for 20-40 GBT proposals annually.
• On-call support for GBT observers.
• Support staff or 'friend' for outside proposals to use the GBT: answer questions about the GBT and assist with observing scripts and data analysis.

Skills

Attention to detail

Highly organized

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Astronomy, Physics or related field

Tools

Python

Job description

Title

Scientific Data Analyst I - 2year Term

Location

Green Bank Observatory, PO Box 2, GREEN BANK, West Virginia, United States of America

Requisition Number

293

Job Family

Scientific Data Analyst

Pay Type

Hourly

Required Education

NET

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a prestigious research and development organization that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) is a nonprofit organization that manages and operates the NRAO under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Observatory is a hub for technological and scientific collaboration, operating state-of-the‑art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The Observatory has been instrumental in the study of black holes, galaxies, and the early universe.

At NRAO, we are recruiting a Scientific Data Analyst I, 2-year term appointment.

The position is located in Green Bank, West Virginia, a beautiful and remote site bordering the Monongahela and George Washington National forests. Located 4 hours from Washington, DC, the Green Bank Observatory offers an academic atmosphere in a rural setting that features a wide variety of activities, from skiing, mountain and road biking, hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting, all within a tight‑knit community.

What You Will be Doing:

• Responds to observer questions regarding GBT observing and data reduction
• Maintains a working knowledge of issues, observing, and data reduction techniques for the GBT
• Assists scientific staff with training, software testing, and procedures for user support and/or telescope operations.
• Aids in observer facing and internal documentation efforts
• Provide back‑up for all (GBT) VLBI script creation and projects
• Technical reviews for 20-40 GBT proposals annually
• On‑call support for GBT observers
• Support staff or 'friend' for outside proposals to use the GBT: answer questions about the GBT, assist with observing script preparation and post‑observation data analysis, and occasionally actively observing for the project's principal investigator.
• Pro‑active compliance with Green Bank Observatory and government safety policies and procedures in own work area is expected.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Will be required to sit for long periods of time and operate a personal computer. Regular on‑call and scheduled weekend and night work required.

Education

• You have a bachelor's degree in Astronomy, Physics or related field.
• You have one to five years of relevant experience, encompassing the following technical expertise. An advanced astronomy degree may be substituted for years of experience:
• • Working with scientific data products reducing, plotting, and analyzing data.
  • Observational experience with telescopes
  • Software testing and debugging in support of users and/or telescope operations
  • Face‑to‑face support of users/customers/students and/or mentoring or training of less experienced persons.
  • Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Very good interpersonal skills.
  • Analytical thinking and able to learn new systems quickly.
  • Aptitude to take on increased responsibility and the ability to take ownership of a functional area.
  • Proven ability to complete self‑directed assignments.
  • Ability to effectively train and/or mentor others.
• Ability to use computers with M/S Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems

Experience

• Python software creation or development in another programming language.
• Familiarity with VLBI techniques

Skills and Competencies

• Attention to detail is critical
• Highly organized
• Excellent communication skills

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H‑1B Visas for this position.

Compensation

The starting hourly rate of this position is $27.44-$32.33 per hour. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUI's retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant's base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit https://public.nrao.edu/careers/. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to [e-mail]. PM20

PI287748012