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Call for Applications for the Selection Process to Fill the Position of Technical Software Engineer for the Development and Operations of the PLATO-GOP data center
The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.
Introduction
The purpose of this call is the selection process of a candidate to fill a Technical Software Engineer position assigned to the Research Area of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC).
The PLATO mission (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) of the European Space Agency (ESA) has the primary objective of discovering and characterizing extrasolar planets with a similar size to the Earth, orbiting around Sun-like stars, emphasizing on the determination of their habitability. An important part of the mission is the Ground-based Observation Program (GOP), in charge of coordinating a global telescopes network to follow up the candidates detected by the spacecraft.
The GOP Operational Center (GOPOC) will provide the computing, storage and networking resources to run the necessary software subsystems of GOP. Its operation must be guaranteed for the end-to-end tests phase of the ground segments (2026) and for the commissioning and start of nominal operations of the mission (2027).
Description of position
- Positions to be filled: 1.call for Applications for the Selection Process to Fill the Position of Technical Software Engineer for the Development and Operations of the PLATO-GOP data center
- Professional group: Group II. Engineering Personnel
- Professional category: Technical Engineer - Technical Manager
- Working hours: 37,5 hours/week
- Workplace location: Institut de Ciències del Cosmos. Parc Científic de la Universitat de Barcelona. Baldiri I reixac, 4, torre D, planta 3. 08028 Barcelona.
Functions
The IEEC-ICCUB unit opens one position for a physics graduate with experience in software development.
The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Finalisation of the GOP software for PLATO (implemented mainly in Python, SQL and Vue.js), including its own programs for the management and monitoring of tasks and data, the integration of software from external collaborators, and the system documentation.
- Integration of the GOP software in the GOPOC hardware, including the interfaces with external systems (mainly the follow-up database, PFU).
- Execution and documentation of the end-to-end tests.
- Operation of the GOP software in the GOPOC system during the first phases of the PLATO mission, including support to experts and the software updates when necessary.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
- Education
- Minimum degree in Physics.
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (Maximum of 20 points):
- Knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics (4 points)
- Knowledge of observational methods for exoplanets (3 points)
- Knowledge of the PLATO mission and of the GOP system (3 points)
- Stages or internships abroad (2 points)
- Knowledge of software development in Python, SQL and web, and of data mining (8 points)
Contact and deadline
Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send cover letter and the personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the email address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_242_2026" in the subject line of the email.
The reception of applications ends on
Selection procedure
Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.
- a) Principal Investigator of the PLATO GOPOC SUPPORT project at IEEC or a designated representative.
- b) Principal Investigator of ERC SPOTLESS project at IEEC or a designated representative.
- c) Investigator of the IEEC-ICE project at IEEC or a designated representative.
Interested parties must have the original certificates accrediting the education and work experience mentioned in the CV and must present them if requested.
In compliance with the LISMI (Law for the Social Integration of the Disabled), the IEEC will consider reservations for candidates who certify a disability equal to or greater than 33%, provided they are suitable for the performance of the functions to be covered.