Staff Astronomical Data Scientist II

Position Overview

The Space Telescope Science Institute’s Data Management Division is seeking an Astronomical Engineer II to support the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). In this role, you will lead archive scientific development activities related to astronomical catalog data products and provide scientific guidance on catalog development efforts, including the creation of user documentation and tutorials. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement and requires candidates to reside in or relocate to the local market (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV). US Citizenship or Permanent Residence is required to meet ITAR requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the design and development of tools for astronomical catalogs and services supporting community usage.
• Develop and maintain mission catalog data products, including observation catalogs, source catalogs, and spectra catalogs.
• Engage in catalog metadata management development.
• Develop software tools to enhance cross-mission and cross-archive data exploration within MAST.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum three years or equivalent knowledge in the scientific use of catalogs.
• Proficiency in Python scripting and experience using common Python-based astronomy packages.
• Experience with processing large datasets and software development.
• Experience with SQL programming.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to describe complex astronomical data.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, Astronomy, Physics, or a relevant field with a minimum of 2 years of working experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AWS Cloud related tools/services.
• Familiarity with git, Kubernetes, Ansible, Terraform, and CI/CD processes.
• Experience with containerization.
• Exposure to Machine Learning techniques applied to astronomical catalog data.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation is commensurate with education, skills, and experience.
• Employer retirement contribution – direct STScI contribution of 10% of your salary from your first day.
• Generous time off benefits including eight paid holidays, two discretionary holidays, up to 24 days of vacation leave, and 12 days for sick leave.
• Flexible work schedule promoting a healthy work/life balance.
• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision/prescription plans, and more.

Travel required: as needed.

Apply here: https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/SPA1004AURA/JobBoard/93330e50-7b3a-4ba8-94f2-6f32360aa4e1/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=060f337e-405a-4f33-b327-63b2c03af3c8