SKA Mid – Senior Data Analyst/Telescope Operator x2 at SARAO - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

• The Senior Data Analyst/Telescope Operator will be part of the science operations team and will lead a team of 4-5 data analysts/operators to support SKA-Mid science operations and development activities during the construction phase. The Senior Data Analyst/Telescope Operator will be responsible for the development of operator procedures and documentation, and for the mentoring and training of the Data Analyst/Telescope Operators under their supervision. Once construction is complete the team will be responsible for the day-to-day observing of the SKAO Telescope and provide analysis of the initial telescope data for quality assessment and science verification. Observing during this phase is expected to be 24/7 with the team working shift patterns.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the performance of the data analyst/telescope operator team.
• Design and document operating procedures for the SKAO.
• Conduct, monitor, and calibrate astronomical observations.
• Assume responsibility for data quality assurance.
• Facilitate communication between engineering, technical staff, and scientific stakeholders.
• Mentor and train team members.

Key Requirements
Qualifications & Experience:

• Option 1: MSc in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, Computing, or a related field, plus 4 years of relevant experience.
• Option 2: BSc (Hons) in a related field, plus 5 years of relevant experience.
• Option 3: Undergraduate degree in a related field, plus 6 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in leading a team.
• Experience in controlling and operating a scientific research instrument, including scheduling.
• Experience in developing operational procedures, monitoring dashboards, and documentation.
• Strong background in data analysis.

Knowledge:

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

Essential Skills & Competencies:

• Domain knowledge in radio astronomy observations and data reduction pipelines.
• High-level analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Aptitude for developing operational procedures and documentation.
• Proficiency in scientific computing (Python, C, or C++ in a Linux environment).
• Strong leadership and resource management skills.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving abilities in ambiguous situations.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
• Must be able to work day/night shifts on a 24/7 rotational basis, including weekends and public holidays.

Desirable Skills:

• Ability to work under pressure in time-sensitive environments.
• Familiarity with SAFE or Agile code development practices.
• Strong independent work ethic within a multidisciplinary team.