Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Analyst to join our team in Cape Town. This is a permanent role where you will contribute to one of the world's most advanced radio astronomy projects by transforming complex datasets into meaningful insights that support scientific, engineering, and operational decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:

• 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 operation of the telescope array
• 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

Key Requirements:
Qualification:

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

Experience:

• MSc in physics, astronomy or related discipline, coupled with 4 years
• BSc (Hons) in physics, astronomy or related discipline, coupled with 5 years
• Undergraduate degree in physics, astronomy or related discipline, coupled with 6 years environment.
• 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

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 of 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

Please call us on 010 030 0127 for more information.
NB: Should you not hear from us in 6weeks please consider your application unsuccessful.
For more information please contact:
Londiwe Maphumulo

Skills Required