Software developer

Software developer for space safety and meteor research

Overview

The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) is looking for a software developer for further development of tools for simulations and data analysis. You will be part of a team that uses radar and optical systems in combination with numerical simulations to conduct research and development work in the study of meteors and space objects.

Job description

The Earth is surrounded by space debris - from dysfunctional satellites and rocket stages to fragments of material - with a total mass of the order of 10 000 tonnes. Collisions in space have created an estimated one million objects larger than 1 cm. Their orbital parameters need to be mapped to avoid future collisions and an exponential increase in the number of new objects.

IRF is leading a feasibility study for a new Nordic radar system for space object observations. The feasibility study is carried out on as part of the European Space Agency's Space Safety Programme. You will further develop IRF's tools for simulating and evaluating how well radar systems contribute to space safety.

The same research group at IRF uses the EISCAT radar systems in Scandinavia and Svalbard to conduct research on meteors and space objects. Your work includes further development of IRF's software and numerical tools for analyzing radar data. The work is performed in close collaboration with researchers, which means that you are given the opportunity to participate in the research process and further development of operational systems.

Qualifications

We believe that you have a university degree in computer science, software development, or have skills and work experience that the employer considers equivalent.

You are interested in understanding the big picture of the software you develop. You don't necessarily need to understand all the physics involved, but you want to be well aware of how it is used and what concrete problem it solves.

Development is mainly done in Python supported by low-level languages like C, Fortran, or Rust, so we assume you have knowledge of at least one of these. Alternatively, you have experience with similar languages and an ability and willingness to learn new ones. You think version control is a given and can use git. Since you will be developing software to run in a Linux environment, we assume that you have basic knowledge of such operating systems.

Experience in other programming languages, tools and development methods, such as Bash, test-driven development, developer operations, continuous integration (gitlab ci), etc. is an advantage.

It is important that you can communicate in English.

Terms and conditions

The position is located at the head office in Kiruna and is limited to one year with the possibility of extension. The start date is in January 2025 or according to agreement. Salaries are set on an individual basis.

Applications should include a CV and a cover letter (maximum one page) describing relevant experience. Copies of academic certificates and contact details of references are desirable.