Square Kilometre Array South Africa (SKA SA) Telescope Operator

About the Position
SKA SA is currently looking to appoint Telescope Operators to operate KAT-7 and MeerKAT telescopes. The successful incumbent will be primarily be responsible for the operations of the telescope, ensuring observations are completed and quality is maintained, and downtime is minimised.
The position forms part of a team of Operators responsible for ensuring the KAT-7 and MeerKAT telescopes work optimally. Identifying and resolving issues and scheduling and tracking activities to minimise interruptions to scientific operations.
Minimum qualification required:

• Recently graduated with BEng, BSc or BTech in Engineering, Sciences or Information Technology

Or

• National Diploma in Engineering or Information Technology/Systems coupled with a minimum of 2 years’ work experience in a similar role within a Science or Engineering environment

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal qualities:

• Ability to work shifts
• Ability to take initiative and solve problems
• Have knowledge, interest and/or experience in science and/or engineering
• Proficient with computers, know or be willing to learn Python scripting language (the primary control language of the telescope interface), be able to troubleshoot hardware problems with engineers, and be willing to learn astronomy background as needed

Main responsibilities include (but not limited to):

• Provide the appropriate commands to the system
• Monitor the system and respond to faults
• Coordinate activities and provide other appropriate instructions and information
• Record activities and deviations
• The SKA project is growing and changing on a daily basis, and demands change as the one task is completed and another begins, requiring flexibility and comfort with change
• The Operator team is a unique position providing the link between the engineered component, the physical telescope, and astronomy
• This position is multidisciplinary requiring a technical mind to identify and solve engineering problems and scientific mind to understand the astronomy
• Operations methodologies are evolving and the tools for operations need to be developed – A good software coding background is desirable to assist in this development
• The Operator is also required to communicate proficiently in spoken and written English with fellow Operators, Engineers, Astronomers, Technical Staff, visitors and onsite Technicians
• When communicating with Media and the public additional languages will be a benefit
• The system runs 24/7 including public holidays and requires shift work and flexibility to accommodate the team requirements
• The primary Operations centre is in Cape Town but up to 50% of your time may be spent on site in the Karoo

The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:
Ability

• solve problems, create novel solutions
• work under pressure
• deal with multiple demands/ good priority and time management
• escalating issues when required
• identify problems, fault finding, debugging and root cause analysis
• follow up issue till resolution
• operate the systems and stay current with procedures
• ability to work alone and in small groups

Experience

• Python coding
• technical record keeping
• Linux

Knowledge

• software
• engineering
• radiowaves
• mechanics and/or electronics
• astronomy

About The Employer
The South African SKA Project (SKA SA) is a project of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF). SKA SA is responsible for coordinating Africa’s involvement in the design and construction of the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, the design and construction of the Karoo Array Radio Telescope (MeerKAT) and the African VLBI Network (AVN), as well as the development of skills required to design, build and operate these instruments.
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