Gaia/Plato Software Engineer

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2028 in the first instance, with good prospects for further extension subject to grant funding and project development.

This is an opportunity for a research software engineer to work at the Cambridge Centre of Excellence for Astronomical Data (CAMCEAD) in the Institute of Astronomy (IoA), specifically on two European Space Agency (ESA) science missions, Gaia and Plato.

The successful candidate will work within CAMCEAD's Gaia and Plato software development teams. The role will focus on development of on-ground data processing software for both Gaia and Plato, including automation, large scale distributed processing, data analysis and data management. The work involves systems analysis, design, implementation, testing, documentation and improvement of existing code. The post-holder will have the opportunity to build upon their experience and to take on a wide selection of roles as needed.

The role will also involve liaising with the wider Plato and Gaia project teams and external science users, with opportunities to interact with the wider CAMCEAD team.

The successful candidate will have good practical knowledge of software and scientific processing development and at least a BSc (Hons) degree in a numerate discipline (preferably Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a science with a significant computing element).

The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of Java (with familiarity of Python an advantage) and object oriented programming. An understanding of abstraction including familiarity with software design considerations is essential. Experience of Python development would be very useful. Experience with Spark, Kubernetes and knowledge of database systems would be advantageous. Experience of the acquisition and reduction of data from astronomical facilities and with the use of database and web-based systems would be desirable.

The post-holder will be required to attend meetings both elsewhere in the UK and overseas. Hence possession of a valid passport is necessary.

Gaia is a space observatory that made more than three trillion observations of two billion stars and other objects during a ten year period before being decommissioned earlier this year. Development and execution of data processing and analysis for the full mission duration will be carried out over the next several years culminating in the publication of the final Gaia catalogue. Gaia's key objective is a detailed study of the Milky Way that will reveal our Galaxy's content, dynamics, current state and formation history. The IoA Gaia team are responsible for the processing and analysis of the photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic data collected by ESA's Gaia mission. Gaia's key objective is a detailed study of the Milky Way that will reveal our Galaxy's content, dynamics, current state and formation history. The IoA Gaia team are responsible for the processing and analysis of the photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic data collected by ESA's Gaia mission.

Plato is a mission that will detect and characterise a huge sample of exoplanets around bright stars. The Plato spacecraft is currently scheduled to be launched at the end of 2026. Within the Plato Consortium, the IoA team are responsible for the development and operation of the Exoplanet Analysis System, which will enable the detection of the signatures of exoplanets from high- precision photometric light curves of the host stars.

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

Information about working at CAMCEAD: Staff at CAMCEAD undertake a range of activities in wide field astronomy including: lead roles in Gaia and Plato, together with other space mission projects including CHEOPS and Euclid; developing and operating pipeline processing and analysis systems for optical and near-infrared mosaic imaging surveys (e.g. VISTA, VST); spectroscopic surveys (e.g. WEAVE, 4MOST); developing pipelines tailored for the analysis of various oncological imaging data related to the IMAXT/CRUK Grand Challenge project; managing a data processing and archive centre.

Application Instructions:

Please indicate the contact details of three referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a list of publications (if you have such), please also provide a covering letter (1 page of A4 at minimum Font size 11) which sets out your suitability for the role. Please ensure that your referees are aware that they may be contacted by the Institute of Astronomy.

The application deadline is 23:59 BST on Friday 12th September 2025.

Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references by: 3rd October 2025

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and interviews are provisionally planned for: w/c 6th October 2025.

The anticipated start date of the appointment is 1st November 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary will be Grade 7, £35,116 - £45,413 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

Informal enquiries may be made via email to Dr Francesca De Angeli, Principal Research Associate, ([email protected])

If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact [email protected].

Please quote reference LG46779 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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