The ASTRON & IBM Center for Exascale Technology is a research centre, located in Dwingeloo, Drenthe on the Campus of ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. At this centre ASTRON and IBM jointly carry out fundamental research into computing technologies needed to develop the SKA radio telescope in the second half of this decade and the first half of the next decade. The collaboration is funded through the DOME project and focuses on three main areas:
- Green Computing (extreme performance at minor energy costs)
- Nano-photonics (data transport power reduction over short and long distances)
- Data & Streaming (real time processing of massive data amounts)

This project offers exciting opportunities for innovative research in radio astronomy instrumentation, computer science and signal processing.

At the moment we have the following positions open at the ASTRON headquarters in Dwingeloo, The Netherlands:
- Postdoctoral position f/m
- Two PhD positions f/m
- Photonic technology R&D engineer f/m

Pre-doctoral researcher 1 (ref.number: 2012-09-026) f/m

In current computer system design, a wealth of parameters and boundary conditions need to be observed: power envelope, performance, hardware cost, workload, CPU, memory size, accelerator technology, boards, cooling, system, etc. This has propelled the complexity of the design far beyond what a reasonable team of people can keep "in their head" and reason about. This is one of the main challenges in designing and developing next generation (exascale) instrumentation for the Square Kilometre Array telescope, SKA.

Function description:
In the project the design complexity challenge is tackled by using mathematical methodologies aimed at addressing the fundamental equations that govern the system. Optimization techniques are used to derive solution directions which system design should address. This methodology will allow to reason on system optimizations and parameter space. This research area is covered by the work stream "Algorithms & Machines", which connects the three main research areas mentioned above. In this work stream we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD researcher for our team. The successful candidate will be expected to investigate high performance (exascale) computing and signal processing architectures for radio astronomy, aimed at the SKA. In these architectures, applicable algorithms, platforms, and software are modelled and studied in an integrated approach.

Function requirements:
We are looking for a candidate with a M.Sc. degree in Computer Science, Computational Physics, or related disciplines.
The candidate should have
• solid computer science and signal processing background
• programming language experience such as C/C++ and Matlab/Mathematica

For more information please contact: Dr. Albert-Jan Boonstra - boonstra [at] astron [dot] nl

Our offer: a temporary appointment for 1.5 years with a possible extension for 2.5 years. This is in parallel with the University's evaluations on the progress of the PhD trajectory

The successful candidate will be employed by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) at a salary scale commensurate with age and experience. Relocation expenses, an excellent package of benefits and assistance with finding accommodation will be provided. Applicants of any nationality are eligible to apply. A good command of the English language (writing and speaking) is essential. Successful candidates will have access to excellent computational facilities and travel support.
For a summary statement of work of the DOME project and related background information please check one of these websites: www.dome-exascale.nl, www.astron.nl
Candidates are invited to send an application (including a CV, a statement of scientific interests and research ideas or brief proposal), plus 3 letters of reference before January 31, 2013 by email which should refer to the mentioned vacancy nr. 2012-09-026, including a resume and contact information, to the attention of Diana Verweij, head of HR e-mail: personnel [at] astron [dot] nl Applications will continue to be considered until the positions are filled. Internal and external recruiting will be executed in parallel.

Acquisitions based on this advertisement are not appreciated.