Senior Data Analyst (CPT)

DataFin; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A radio astronomy company in Cape Town is seeking a Senior Data Analyst to lead a team of analysts in supporting science operations. This role includes developing procedures, mentoring team members, and ensuring quality data analysis. Candidates should have an MSc or BSc with relevant experience in a scientific environment. The position requires strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills, plus the ability to work shifts including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team in a technical or scientific environment.
• Experience in operating scientific research instruments including scheduling.
• Experience developing operational procedures and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage performance of data analyst/Telescope operator team.
• Document operating procedures for the team.
• Ensure quality assurance of data and timely completion of QA tasks.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical capability

Documentation

Communication skills

Education

MSc in physics, astronomy, engineering, computing or related discipline

BSc (Hons) in physics, astronomy, engineering, computing or related discipline

Undergraduate degree in physics, astronomy or related discipline

Tools

Control and monitoring software

Radio astronomy reduction software

Job description

ENVIRONMENT

A radio astronomy company is seeking a Senior Data Analyst who will form part of the science operations team and lead a group of 4–5 analysts/operators to support science operations and development activities throughout the construction phase. This role includes developing operator procedures and documentation, as well as mentoring and training the Data Analysts/Operators within the team. Once construction concludes, the team will take responsibility for day-to-day observing and for analysing the initial data produced for quality assessment and science verification, with round‑the‑clock operations requiring a shift‑based working structure.

DUTIES

• Manage performance of data analyst/ Telescope operator team
• Play a leading role in the designing and documenting of operating procedures for our client.
• Conduct, monitor and calibrate astronomical observations and use appropriate computing resources towards successful the operation.
• Assume responsibility for quality assurance of data and ensure timeous completion of QA tasks by team
• Enable communication between engineering and technical staff and scientific stakeholders.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualification

• MSc in physics, astronomy, engineering, computing or related discipline, coupled with 4 years experience in a technical or scientific environment.
• OR
• BSc (Hons) in physics, astronomy, engineering, computing or related discipline, coupled with 5 years experience in a technical or scientific environment.
• OR
• Undergraduate degree in physics, astronomy or related discipline, coupled with 6 years experience in a technical or scientific environment.

Experience

• Experience in leading a team
• Experience in controlling and operating a scientific research instrument including scheduling
• Experience in developing of operational procedures, monitoring dashboards and documentation
• Data analysis

Knowledge

• Principles of radio astronomy and interferometric calibration
• Radio astronomy reduction software
• Control and monitoring systems
• Scientific computing

Skills/Ability/Competencies

Related Skills

• Knowledge of, or experience using control and monitoring software
• Technical report writing
• Understanding of knowledge management

Extreme Importance (Essential)

• Domain knowledge: Experience in radio astronomy observations and data reduction pipelines
• High level analytical capability: Demonstrated problem‑solving ability
• Teamwork and collaboration: Cooperates with others to achieve organisational objectives and may share team resources to do this
• Well‑developed verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Documentation: Aptitude to contribute to the definition and development of operational procedures, monitoring dashboards and documentation. Rigor in maintaining reports and documentation.
• Scientific computing: Understanding software development and data analysis using Python, C or C++ in Linux environment
• Resource Management/Leadership: Provides leadership that fosters an environment that encourages new ideas and provides support for the development of emerging skills. Creates trust by displaying consistency, understanding, integrity and patience and plans, seeks, allocates and monitors resources to achieve outcomes.
• Judgement and Problem Solving: Anticipates and manages problems in ambiguous situations. Develops and selects an appropriate course of action and provides for contingencies. Evaluates, interprets and integrates complex bodies of information and draws logical conclusions, synthesises proposals and defends options with reasoned arguments.
• Equity, diversity and inclusivity: An awareness of, and commitment to, equitable practices, including accessibility, to facilitate broad access to the Observatory
• Must be able to work day/ night shifts on a 24‑hours rotational basis, including weekends and public holidays.

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to work and cope under pressure in time‑sensitive environments with multiple priorities
• Familiarity with SAFE or Agile code development practices
• Strong leadership qualities
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.