Astronomical Data Products Validation Specialist

Job Introduction

ESO (European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere) is a leading institution for astronomy research, operating some of the world’s most advanced observatories. With locations in Chile and Germany, ESO provides scientists worldwide with access to cutting-edge instruments and data, enabling them to explore the universe and answer fundamental questions about its origins, evolution, and structure. ESO's missions focus on ensuring the continued operation and enhancement of its astronomical archives, maintaining high-quality data accessibility, and supporting the global scientific community in their research efforts.

On behalf of our customer ESO, we are looking for **Astronomical Data Products Validation Specialists**to join our team in Garching, Munich. Your mission is to ensure the integrity and compliance of science data products with ESO standards, supporting the preparation, verification, and publication of these data via ESO’s archives for global access by the scientific community.

Main Responsibilities
- Support user inquiries regarding science data product standards and the publication workflow through Phase 3
- Validate and verify compliance of science data products with ESO’s data product standards
- Ingest and publish data products into the ESO Archive via dedicated Archive user interfaces
- Provide line support to external users for preparing science data products and organizing/packaging data releases
- Maintain and update validation rules and scripts for the file-by-file verification of science products and their provenance
- Support the testing and deployment of tools for verifying and publishing science data products
- Monitor and troubleshoot the process of archiving and publishing data products once submitted by users, ensuring data previews, metadata extraction, and replication to the database server
- Advertise data releases through Phase 3, archive web interfaces, and ESO’s science newsletter
- Support the maintenance and update of the Science Data Product Standard (SDPS).
- Contribute to the specification, testing, maintenance, and installation of new Phase 3 tools and services

**_ Do you think you are the person we are looking for? See below what experience or knowledge you should bring_**:

- At least three years of experience in handling astronomical data in FITS format
- Minimum of three years working with astronomical data processing software and scripting (e.g., IDL, IRAF, astropy)
- At least three years of experience working with databases using SQL
- Strong background in astronomy at a scientific level
- Experience with data standard specification is an asset
- Familiarity with Virtual Observatory standards and tools is an advantage
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong communication and cooperative skills to interact with both internal colleagues and external users
- Fluent in English

**Nice to have**:

- Experience in scientific data validation and compliance reporting.
- Knowledge of ESO’s data products and the scientific community’s data needs.
- Proficiency in additional scripting languages and software tools for astronomy.

Package Description
**On Offer**:

- Relocation allowance upon providing receipts
- Hybrid working model
- 30% subvention on Deutschland ticket
- Gym membership discount
- Participation in pension and health scheme 30 days of holiday
- **Relocation**:
Garching/Munich, Germany, offers a central location in Europe, making it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air, with Munich Airport being one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in Europe, facilitating easy international travel.