Gaia/Plato Software Engineer (Fixed Term)

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 is responsible for processing and analyzing 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 is responsible for the development and operation of the Exoplanet Analysis System, which will enable the detection of exoplanets' signatures from high-precision photometric light curves of the host stars.

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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 for analyzing 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), a list of publications (if applicable), and a covering letter (at least 1 page of A4, font size 11) outlining your suitability for the role. Ensure your referees are aware they may be contacted by the Institute of Astronomy.

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

Referees will be asked to provide references by 3rd October 2025.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date, with interviews tentatively scheduled for the week commencing 6th October 2025.

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

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

For informal enquiries, contact Dr. Francesca De Angeli, Principal Research Associate, at .

For queries about the application process, contact .

Please quote reference LG46779 in your application and correspondence.

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