Job description
Join the Northern Sky Research Center (NSRC) as an Astronomy Data Scientist in Flagstaff, Arizona. This role is a bridge between astronomy research and software engineering, enabling discovery through scalable data analysis of large observational datasets. You will collaborate with researchers, engineers, and educators to design robust data pipelines, develop analytic tools, and communicate insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. We value curiosity, collaboration, and rigor. If you love turning raw telescope data into meaningful science and beautiful visualizations, this is the place for you.
Responsibility
- Lead the design and implementation of end-to-end data processing pipelines for optical/IR survey data, including ingestion, calibration, and quality control.
- Develop scalable analytics tools and visualization dashboards to enable rapid scientific inquiry.
- Collaborate with astronomers to formulate research questions and translate them into reproducible analyses.
- Apply machine learning and statistical methods to classify objects, detect anomalies, and forecast observational needs.
- Maintain and document software, APIs, and data models; mentor junior team members.
- Coordinate with telescope operators and data centers to ensure timely data availability and integrity.
- Present results at internal and external meetings, and contribute to scientific publications and outreach materials.
Qualification
- PhD in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related field (or equivalent industry experience).
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with astronomical data analysis and software development.
- Proficiency in Python and scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Astropy); experience with data formats such as FITS and HDF5.
- Strong SQL skills and familiarity with data warehousing and version control (Git).
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) and containerized workflows (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Ability to translate complex scientific questions into clear, reproducible pipelines; strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working in a dynamic, cross-disciplinary team.