Looking towards a new UK SKA Regional Centre node

BY DR HILARY KAY (UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER – UK SKA) AND DR LOUISE CHISHOLM (UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON)

In January, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) funded a consortium* from the UK astronomy and digital research infrastructure communities to increase national participation in the global SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet).

The funding will also create a UK SKA Regional Centre (UKSRC) node with the aim of providing scientists based in the country with seamless access to future SKA science data. In collaboration with the SRCNet prototyping teams, they will develop a proto-UKSRC facility, utilising new technologies across cloud computing, data logistics, data archives and science platforms. Research groups will be able to use the facility for SKAO Science Data Challenges and SKA pathfinder and precursor science, which provides valuable opportunities for the team to test the facility.

Engagement with the future UK SKA user community is essential. The project was co-created with astronomy researchers based across the UK who, via a series of workshops, identified the initial UKSRC science demonstrator cases, which are aligned with the SKA key science areas. These and future cases will inform the technical development of the proto-UKSRC.

Along with providing UKSRC-specific training and support for users, the team is launching a scheme to provide early career leadership opportunities and community-led training initiatives. Recruitment will start soon at partner institutions: this includes project managers, research software engineers, data stewards and experts in research computing and radio astronomy.

To keep up to date, visit the UKSRC website and follow the team on LinkedIn and Twitter.

*University of Cambridge, Durham University, University of Edinburgh, University of Hertfordshire, University of Manchester, StackHPC Ltd, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UCL