POSTGRADUATE / SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING SPECIALIST

*Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) is an ambitious National Science Foundation funded project to detect gravitational waves and use them to explore the Universe. The Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center plays an important role in characterizing the LIGO detectors, in searches for gravitational-wave signals, and in optics development for future detectors. Please visit the center’s webpage at http://physics.fullerton.edu/gwpac/.

Under the supervision of the Director of the Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center, the Specialist will work on development and support of software infrastructure for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) data analysis efforts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Design, development, packaging, and support of software infrastructure to further the goals of the LIGO project.
• Maintain a close connection with scientists conducting gravitational-wave research and make important contributions to gravitational-wave observations with LIGO.
• Focus initial work on web-based signal processing and data display tools.
• Work in other areas of LIGO data analysis software, such as grid and distributed computing projects.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent computer skills.
• Extensive experience with Linux and with Java and Python programming.
• Working knowledge of popular scientific languages such as Matlab.
• Must be highly motivated.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the ASC. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASC employees who apply for the position.

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. or Master’s degree in physics, astronomy, information science, or a related field

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Prolonged sitting in front of computer. Walking, talking, hearing, pulling, bending, may carry 10-15 pounds of objects/material, not exposed to extreme noise level, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands or arms, stoop, kneel, taste or smell.

BENEFITS:
Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, health care flex plan, LTD, educational reimbursement, vacation, sick leave, holiday, credit union and retirement plan. All benefits will be administered according to policies and/or procedures.