Database Manager for YSOC

California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States of America
3 days ago

Role details

Contract type
Temporary contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Working hours
Regular working hours
Languages
English

Job location

Pasadena, United States of America

Tech stack

JavaScript
API
Big Data
CSS
Databases
Data Systems
Relational Databases
Django
Human-Computer Interaction
Python
PostgreSQL
SQL Databases
Scripting (Bash/Python/Go/Ruby)
Backend
Front End Software Development

Job description

The database manager will have full responsibility for maintaining, updating, and upgrading a comprehensive database of young stellar objects, star forming regions, moving groups, and benchmark open clusters in the nearby Milky Way. There is also opportunity for related collaborative research projects., The successful job candidate will perform various tasks related to populating a relational database that allows users to access, search, and better exploit YSO data for new science investigations. The person will work with an existing SQL database running on PostgreSQL, that is created and managed by python scripts and the Django framework and is connected to a front-end user interface written in HTMI, JavaScript, and CSS. They will learn, operate within, and improve the database population workflow. The goals are to: (1) optimize large-scale data ingestion; (2) implement already-identified fixes and improvements to the workflow; 3) add new features to the existing codebase. Tasks include processing files that have been downloaded from the astronomical literature and source catalogs and reformatting them in a manner suitable for upload into the YSOC database. Additional tasks relate to backend code development, with an opportunity to engage in frontend development.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. degree in astronomy
  • Must be knowledgeable and experienced in the fields of young stellar objects and star formation in the Milky Way, and deeply familiar with the body of relevant astronomical literature
  • Must have working knowledge of the Astrophysics Data System (ADS), Vizier, SIMBAD, and the tabular archiving practices of the primary journals in the field
  • Must be able to parse, sort, and organize large amounts of tabular information
  • Must have proficiency in the Python programming language including API query practices
  • Must be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with the PI

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with codebase management
  • Familiarity with and proficiency in SQL databases and Django

About the company

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

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