2 Vacancies for the AIR Centre: Job position 1 – Data Science Developer and Job Position 2 – Earth Observation Developer

Vacancy Titles:

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Developer
  2. Job position 2: Earth Observation Developer

Refº. Unit Requests:

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Network
  2. Job position 2: Space Applications Network

Location [job position 1 and 2]: Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal – Headquarters of the AIR Centre or Lisbon or Lisbon Office

Contract Duration:

  1. Job position 1: 2 years
  2. Job position 2: 3 years

Part/full Time [job position 1 and 2]: Full time

Hours per Week [job position 1 and 2]: 40 hours per Week

Salary [job position 1 and 2]: DE2 – 2,349.00 EUR monthly gross salary, with re-evaluation to the next salary level (DE3 – 2,949.00 EUR monthly gross salary) six months after the start of the contract

Application Deadline [job position 1 and 2]: 8th September 2024, midnight Lisbon time zone

Preferred Starting date [job position 1 and 2]: 14th October 2024

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSTS

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Developer

The Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) has a vacancy for Data Science Developer to develop work in scope of the implementation of the New Space Portugal, a Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan funded project, as well as in other AIR Centre related activities. You will be joining a dynamic and multidisciplinary team and work in the diverse and emerging fields of Data Science, including machine learning, mostly applied to Earth Observation (EO) data, essential biodiversity variables, object detection and classification, among others.

A data science developer combines the skills of a data scientist with those of a software developer, focusing on creating and implementing data-driven solutions. As a developer, you will work with a blend of technical, scientific, industrial and outreach activities while supporting and identifying new opportunities.

You will work on the development of new services and products for the Atlantic region along with AIR Centre partners including AIR Centre UNEP GRID (United Nations Global Resource Information Database), the European Space Agency and AIR Centre Associates. You will also work in a high-throughput edge-computing node for created for processing EO data, as well as with a satellite direct receiving station. Among other opportunities for professional development, contributions to open-source Projects are encouraged.

The place of work can be in the Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal – Headquarters of the AIR Centre or in Lisbon or Lisbon Office.

  1. Job position 2: Earth Observation Developer

The Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) has a vacancy for an Earth Observation Developer in the Space Application Network Unit. You will be joining a dynamic and multidisciplinary team and work in the diverse and emerging fields of Earth Observation (EO) in the maritime domain, such as detection of marine litter, essential biodiversity variables, object detection and classification.

As an applications developer, you will work with a blend of technical, scientific, industrial and outreach activities while supporting and identifying new opportunities.

You will work on the development of new services and products for the Atlantic region along with AIR Centre partners including AIR Centre UNEP GRID (United Nations Global Resource Information Database), the European Space Agency and AIR Centre Associates. You will also work in a high-throughput edge-computing node for created for processing EO data, as well as with a satellite direct receiving station. Among other opportunities for professional development, contributions to open-source Projects are encouraged.

The place of work can be in the Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal – Headquarters of the AIR Centre or in Lisbon or Lisbon Office.

TASKS AND RESPONSABILITIES

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Developer
  • Develop and maintain data pipelines for collecting, processing, and storing large datasets.
  • Design, implement, and optimize machine learning algorithms and statistical models to solve complex business problems.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including business stakeholders and IT departments, to understand requirements and implement data-driven solutions.
  • Conduct exploratory data analysis and visualization to identify patterns, trends, and insights.
  • Create clear and concise documentation.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and software development techniques.
  • Contribute to best practices for data science development within the organization.
  • Contribute to the development of data-driven products and features that enhance business value.
  • Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from conceptualization to deployment and maintenance.
  • Manage and develop projects related with data science and development of scientific software including technical, outreach, training, and dissemination of results.
  • Design, implement and supervise the development of algorithms using real world data to automate geospatial workflows.
  • Liaise with stakeholders (including end users) to derive system requirements.
  • Lead and support the preparations of proposals and identify new opportunities and consortia.
  1. Job position 2: Earth Observation Developer
  • Manage and develop projects related with EO including technical, outreach, training, and dissemination of results;
  • Analyze and understand different types of remote sensing data (e.g. satellite, aerial);
  • Design, implement and supervise the development of algorithms using real world data and automate remote sensing and geospatial workflows;
  • Conduct performance evaluations and validation of developed algorithms using appropriate metrics and benchmarks;
  • Deploy and maintain early service prototypes of algorithms;
  • Liaise with stakeholders (including end users) to derive system requirements;
  • Lead and support the preparations of proposals and identify new opportunities and consortia;
  • Stay updated on the latest advancements in Earth observation technologies.

 QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Developer
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
  • Minimum of four years of experience in software development (including scripting).
  • Minimum of four years of experience with an object-oriented programming language (preferably Go).
  • Minimum of three years of experience with scientific scripting with Julia or Python.
  1. Job position 2: Earth Observation Developer
  • Relevant Msc degree with at least 3 years of experience in fields of Remote Sensing and Earth Observation Systems, Physics, Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related field.

REQUIRED SKILLS

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Developer
  2. Programming Languages:
    • Advanced knowledge of an object-oriented programming language.
    • Advanced proficiency in Julia or Python.
    • Experience with JavaScript HTML5 and CSS3.
  3. Machine Learning:
    • Advanced experience with data analysis and machine learning libraries such as Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Flux.
    • Experience in developing machine learning models. Familiarity with supervised and unsupervised learning techniques.
  4. Web Technologies:
    • Familiarity with server-side development.
    • Understanding of RESTful API design and implementation.
  5. Database Management:
    • Experience with relational databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.
    • Knowledge of NoSQL databases like MongoDB or Cassandra.
  6. Version Control and Collaboration:
    • Proficiency in Git for version control and collaborative development.
    • Experience with CI/CD pipelines using tools like GitHub CI or Jenkins.
  7. Cloud Technologies:
    • Experience with containerization technologies like Docker.
  8. Software Development Practices:
    • Experience with agile methodologies and test-driven development (TDD).
    • Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
  9. Problem-solving and Analytical Skills:
    • Excellent debugging and troubleshooting abilities.
    • Strong analytical skills for solving complex technical challenges.
  10. Soft Skills:
    • Effective communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams.
    • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
    • Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.
  1. Job position 2: Earth Observation Developer
  • Solid understanding of Earth observation principles and techniques, with a focus on maritime applications, including processing of geospatial data such as Sentinel, MODIS, Worldview, Landsat.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or MATLAB.
  • Experience with geospatial data processing libraries and tools (e.g., GDAL, QGIS).
  • Effective communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

 PREFERRED SKILLS

  1. Job position 1: Data Science Developer
  • Experience or degree in Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, or GIS.
  • 2-3 years of experience in Geospatial Information data, preferably using open spatial data and imagery.
  • Strong knowledge of object-oriented design principles and design patterns.
  • Ability to write complex SQL queries, maintain databases and optimize database performance.
  • Familiarity with S3 Object storage.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or equivalent.
  • Strong knowledge of containerization and orchestration technologies like and Docker Swarm or Kubernetes.
  1. Job position 2: Earth Observation Developer
  • Familiarity with implementation of machine learning algorithms for automated feature detection, classification, and tracking.
  • Experience in previous satellite imaging tasking campaigns and associated data processing, including atmospheric corrections.
  • Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

WORKING PLACE [job position 1 and 2]

The AIR Centre is an international collaborative framework to address global challenges and local priorities in the Atlantic Ocean. It promotes the voice of the Atlantic by the fair cooperation between national and regional organizations that share a common commitment to the Ocean and to their communities, focusing on an integrative approach to climate and ocean issues, supported by emerging technological innovations and advances in space, renewable energy and data science, and through international cooperation. The Headquarters of the AIR Centre are located in Terceira island, Azores and an office in Lisbon. The preferred location for this position is in Terceira island, Azores, where we have our own data centre, but there is flexibility to fulfill the position in Lisbon.

The Headquarters of the AIR Centre is located in the TERINOV Technological Park (Terceira island, Azores) and is established as ESA_LAB@Azores, a laboratory to set-up an institutional link between academia, high-tech enterprises, research institutions and European Space Agency to explore innovative applications of space technologies of observation in the Atlantic area.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS [job position 1 and 2]

Interested candidates should send until September 8th, 2024 (Midnight Lisbon Time Zone) a single PDF file (please name it: Name_DataScience.PDF for job position 1 and Name_EarthObservation.PDF for job position 2), to recruitment@aircentre.org clearly stating the related job position to which they are applying and containing:

1) Motivation Letter

2) Detailed CV

3) Contacts of 2 references

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice. The best ranked candidates will be invited for an interview by via videoconference. The selected candidate will be the one with higher score in the interview process.

The jury for this recruitment process is composed by Miguel Miranda, AIR Centre Executive Director; João Pinelo, AIR Centre Data Science Network Coordinator and Pedro Silva, AIR Centre Space Applications Network. Jury alternates are Mafalda Carapuço, AIR Centre Deputy Executive Director and André Valente, Project Manager.

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