RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 3

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This position will focus on research and development of novel algorithms and techniques in support of next-generation survey astronomy and the commissioning of those telescopes. The position primarily supports the construction of the Rubin Observatory, and successfully conducting the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). When it enters operations in 2023, LSST will conduct the widest, fastest and deepest survey of the southern sky carried out to date. It will identify tens of billions of stars, galaxies, and solar system objects.  It will enable paradigm-changing research in the fields of weak lensing cosmology, galactic astronomy, transient and variable astronomical sources, and the contents of the solar system. The University of Washington is a major stakeholder in LSST; the Department of Astronomy hosts the Director (Prof. Željko Ivezic), groups working on the developing the LSST survey strategy and on commissioning the facility, and is responsible for the prompt processing system which will identify transient, variable and moving objects in the LSST image stream.

Duties & Responsibilities:
60%: Development of active optics software and algorithms for processing the LSST ComCam and LSST Camera data
10%: Testing and observations to evaluate the active optics software
10%: Creation of procedures for commissioning of the LSST and commissioning activities for the LSST
20%: Research in cosmology and astrophysics including support of the Dark Energy Science Collaboration

Lead Responsibilities:
Development of software and algorithms for LSST active optics system and the development of software, algorithms and procedures for the commissioning of the LSST

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Mentoring and/or training and engaging in scholarly activities with postdoctoral scholars, research scientists and students who will engage in the commissioning and operation of the LSST
Specific knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job satisfactorily include:
Experience with wide-field survey astronomy. Expertise in astronomical calibration algorithms in particular, and standard astronomical measurement algorithms in general. Knowledge of high-throughput computing environments and active optics systems. Expert in Python programming.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum level of Education is a Doctoral Degree in Physics or Astronomy. 3 months to one year of experience.

Desired – Education, work experience: 
Experience in image processing. Understanding of high-performance computing and code optimization. Knowledge of numerical optimization techniques.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.