Data Science Team Lead

Leiden, The Netherlands

Unspecified

You and SRON

The Data Science Team is a new initiative at SRON to create audacious astrophysics from space missions throughout the mission lifecycle from concept and calibration to operations, pipelines, and scientific interpretation. The team will lead an ambitious, interdisciplinary research programme, creating and applying advanced algorithms, statistical and machine-learning methods, and modelling tools aligned with SRON’s mission and science portfolio. It will also coordinate the Science Accelerator Hub, a framework for open, reproducible tools and cross-team collaboration that delivers innovative solutions to mission-driven challenges and accelerating science harvesting. As team lead, you will have a unique opportunity to shape the strategy and composition of this new group that sits at the heart of SRON’s mission: to bring science into space. We seek a research-active scientist with a broad overview of state-of-the-art data science methods and tools, and the skills to develop and apply them to astronomical challenges.

Your position and team

As Data Science Team Lead, you will define and guide the team’s scientific vision and research agenda in close collaboration with instrument scientists, astronomers, and astrophysicists at SRON, across the Dutch community, and with international partners. Initial resources are available to establish the core of the team. The team is expected to grow through targeted recruitment and will provide a stimulating environment for researchers developing and applying advanced data-science methods and scientific algorithms. Additional project-based positions will be hosted within the Science Accelerator Hub, fostering dynamic collaboration across disciplines and research areas.

Your project

Your main role is to lead the team in conducting research bridging data science and astrophysics in the context of the SRON mission portfolio and scientific strategy. Specifically, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and growing the Data Science Team
• Facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations related to data science across SRON’s astronomy, technology and engineering programmes
• Guiding the set up of the Science Accelerator Hub and managing its staff and resources
• Conducting scientific research
• Developing data science tools, models, and pipelines in collaboration with the existing science teams at SRON, in the Netherlands, and with international partners
• Identifying and pursuing funding opportunities to expand the team
• Managing personnel and supervising their career development
• Serving on the Astrophysics Management Team (Astro MT)

Position requirements

We are looking for a person with leadership or leadership potential and a PhD in astrophysics, astronomy, data science, or a related field. Experience in applying advanced data science methods to concrete scientific problems is required, ideally in the context of astronomical or other complex observational data. Experience and/or demonstrated potential in growing scientific collaborations, particularly in promoting inclusion of diverse team members, is required, as is experience with or potential for coordinating and writing grant applications. Good English language skills (speaking and writing) and the ability to work both in a diverse team and independently are necessary for this position.

What we offer

The position we offer at SRON is full-time (negotiable), permanent or permanent-track in which you will be employed by NWO-I, The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Institutes. The salary will be in accordance with NWO salary scales, commensurate with your education and experience, ranging from scale 12 – 14,  for € 6500,– till €8500,- gross per month on a full-time basis.

NWO has excellent secondary employment conditions such as:

• An end-of-year bonus of 8,33% of the gross yearly salary
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary
• 42 days of vacation leave a year on a full-time basis
• An excellent pension scheme
• Options for (additional) personal development
• Excellent facilities for parental leave
• Ample training opportunities
• Possibility of flexible working hours and hybrid working

Why SRON

SRON’s mission is to achieve breakthroughs in international scientific research from space. To this end, SRON develops groundbreaking technology and advanced space instruments. SRON promotes societal applications for space technology. We have a strong international reputation for ‘excellence in space research’. The quality and societal relevance of our science is considered ‘world-leading’.

About SRON

SRON is the Space Research Organisation Netherlands. Based at locations in Leiden and Groningen, SRON combines fundamental scientific research, technology innovation, and instrument development to enable breakthroughs in astrophysics, exoplanet research, and earth atmospheric research from space. In partnership with leading international partners and space agencies such as ESA, NASA, and JAXA, SRON contributes science and technology to international space missions as well as expertise and support to the Dutch and international scientific communities. 
SRON is the national base for the Netherlands participation in the ESA science program. On the national level, it works in close collaboration with the Dutch universities, other NWO institutes, and governmental agencies to pursue a cohesive agenda for space-based research.

For more information, please contact

More information about SRON can be found at www.sron.nl. We are currently selecting candidates for this vacancy. If you would still like to respond, please send an email to Michiel Min at m.min@sron.nl but we cannot guarantee that your response will be included in the selection process.