Vacancies

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA, see: www.ast.cam.ac.uk) is a highly computer-reliant department in the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and is engaged in teaching and research in the fields of theoretical and observational astronomy.

There is a vacancy in the IoA's IT team for a technically competent individual who enjoys both problem solving and assisting people with IT matters. The IT team are collectively responsible for providing and/or supporting all the IT services used at the IoA, including the network, audiovisual services, servers, desktops, laptops and phones, so a broad range of skills is needed.

This role specialises in providing customer-facing support to all the IoA's staff, students and visitors, although there will be some time to work on IT projects. It requires a good knowledge of Linux, networks and audiovisual systems and services, with excellent troubleshooting and fault-finding skills. Expertise in Windows and Mac OS is desired. The role-holder will need very good written and verbal communication skills, and be able to convey information clearly to people with a range of technical understanding. The role will involve manual handling and manual dexterity and working in confined spaces.

The IoA's IT helpdesk uses a ticketing system to manage workflows, both for requests and for project work. The role holder will need to triage tickets to prioritise urgent requests, contacting other team members for assistance when appropriate. The role requires an organised, methodical approach, a rapid assimilation of information, and is best suited to those who remain calm when under pressure due to quickly changing priorities and unplanned urgent work requirements.

Much of the scientific research at the IoA is carried out on Linux computers, and candidates should detail their experience in working with Linux servers and desktops. An important part of the job is supporting the administration staff, who use Windows systems, so experience in supporting Windows and Office applications is desired. The role holder will need to acquire a thorough knowledge of the administrative processes in place at the University. Supporting the AV systems in the lecture theatre and meeting rooms will need the ability to gain a good understanding of AV systems, and the confidence to be able to resolve issues in the presence of an audience.

If this sounds like the job for you, and you would like to join the IoA's small team of IT professionals, working at a very pleasant site on Madingley Rise, please read the further particulars and apply.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please indicate the contact details of three employment-related referees, one of whom should be your most recent line manager, on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae (CV), and a covering letter describing how you are suited to this role.

References will be requested for shortlisted applicants only.

The closing date for applications is: 23:59 BST on 30th April 2024.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and interviews are provisionally planned for mid-May; more details will be shared with shortlisted candidates nearer the time.

Please refer to further particulars for full instructions. For any queries regarding the application please contact: hr@ast.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference LG41244 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

This role does not require screening but the successful candidate will be asked to complete and adhere to a confidentiality agreement as you will potentially have access to sensitive information.

Conversations about flexible working are encouraged at the University of Cambridge. Please feel free to discuss flexibility prior to applying (using the contact information above) or at interview if your application is successful.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2026 in the first instance.

This is an exciting opportunity for Software Developer to join the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), University of Cambridge, as part of the data processing group for the European Space Agency's Gaia project (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia), within the IoA Data Projects (CamCEAD) group. Gaia is a space observatory of the European Space Agency (ESA), launched in 2013, operational until 2025 and a final data release 2030/31. The core goal of the Gaia project is to produce the largest, most precise three-dimensional map of our galaxy by surveying over one billion stars and analysing their position, motion, and spectra, to reveal the Milky Way present-day structure and uncover its formation and evolution.

The successful candidate will work with the Gaia software development team and their main commitment will be the preparation of the documentation for the Gaia Data Releases (GDRs), with GDR4 foreseen not before end of 2025 and the final GDR5 by 2030/31. They will also be responsible for the enhancement and maintenance of the Gaia in the UK (https://www.gaia.ac.uk) webpage.

The successful candidate will hold a qualification (Master or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics or engineering). The Gaia consortium adopted LaTeX to write the documentation, hence its knowledge is essential. The documentation is also published as webpage, which makes the conversion from LaTeX to HTML one of the key responsibilities of the documentation team. In this context also the knowledge of XML and the understanding of web application, including accessibility, usability and security, are necessary. This skill will also be applicable for the Gaia in the UK webpage.

The Gaia documentation reflects the complexity of the project and many members of the consortium contribute to it, therefore the ability to handle complex documents is mandatory, as also the ability to proofread scientific or technical publications. Good team working and interpersonal skills will be required to communicate with the consortium development partners in other European institutes and ESA. Familiarity with astronomy and/or Gaia are desirable but not essential.

The role will grant opportunities to interact with the wider CamCEAD team, with the potential to contribute to other projects, including ground based astronomical surveys, medical imaging, and with the whole IoA community as well.

The ability to work as part of a team and have good communication skills is also required. The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Closing Date: 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 21 April 2024

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and short-listed candidates will be interviewed Friday, 3rd May 2024. Interviews will be held on-line.

Please indicate the contact details of three academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae (CV), list of publications, and a research/technical experience statement (with the research/technical experience statement totaling three pages max, in 11pt. font).

Note that references will only be requested for shortlisted candidates. The names and email contact details of three referees are a necessary part of the submission. If short-listed for interview, you should advise your nominated referees that their references will be requested with a deadline of Thursday, 2nd May 2024.

Please quote reference LG40991 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.