The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2100 people.
The Science IT section is responsible for supporting a range of world-class facilities and experiments conducted at PSI. The section currently has expertise and provides support in HPC and cloud computing for data intensive experiments through to experiment domain expertise and low-level algorithm development and deployment on GPU technology. We are also engaged in a number of national and international collaborations with similar institutions across the globe, all with the common goal of maximizing the use of large-scale facilities for science by the provision of cutting-edge IT infrastructure and software.
Join the SLS2.0 Software Development Team to develop innovative data reduction and processing solutions to enable high impact science. We are looking for aSoftware Scientist (Data Processing)Science IT / SLS2.0Your tasksYou will join the Science IT section in PSI to play a central role in a collaboration with the Photon Science Division, aiming at finding novel ways of data reduction and processing for high data rate experiments (46GB/s in 2022) in order to significantly reduce its volume while preserving its scientific value. As part of the recently approved SLS2.0 upgrade exciting efforts are underway at this internationally recognised facility to push forward the forefront of both scientific discoveries as well as data, computing research and development. Your role will interface with the beamline teams and expert groups (Detector, Controls and Science IT), providing functional, reliable and efficient data processing solutions to meet the external users’ demanding needs, both during and after an experiment.
Your main tasks will include:
Identify and assess data reduction and processing needs and requirements for SLS 2.0. Evaluate current best practice and performance tradeoffs on existing SLS beamlines and related scientific domains
Design, implement and eventually support a suitable data reduction and processing solution for SLS 2.0 beamlines
Contribute to other ongoing efforts such as the overarching Controls and Science IT services and infrastructure for SLS 2.0, including related machine learning projects
Collaborate with colleagues with similar functions at the PSI facilities along with leading national and international institutions and consortia such a LEAPS
Your profileAs either an enthusiastic and talented early career or experienced professional, you are motivated by interdisciplinary work at the interface between the physical sciences, data science, scientific software development and high-performance computing. You can demonstrate the ability to assimilate new ideas and turn them into practical, applied techniques and a willingness to continue to learn new developments. Given the data volumes and methodology being used, you have experience of managing and organizing the parameters and results of large datasets. You have significant experience of programming in languages extensively used in science (Python, C++) and of the development of software for deployment on on-premises or cloud-based compute clusters.
The following expertise would be advantageous:
Prior experience in the analysis and reduction of large-scale experiment data, and / or image processing
Expertise in high-performance computing, parallel programming on CPUs or GPUs, job schedulers and workflow
You have knowledge of machine learning and the willingness to learn more via a collaboration with machine learning experts
You hold a PhD degree or equivalent practical experience in computer science or in a natural science with an emphasis in computer science, HPC or data science. You are a good listener and a strong team player with excellent communication skills and sense of responsibility, fluent in English (spoken and written), speak German (an advantage not a must) or willing to learn it.We offerOur institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.
This position will offer you a great opportunity to develop your career in an exciting and highly multidisciplinary environment.
This is a fixed-term position. The employment contract will be limited to the SLS 2.0, which ends 31 December 2025.
For further information, please contact Dr Alun Ashton, email: alun.ashton at psi.ch.
Please submit your application online by 16 May 2021 for the position as a Software Scientist (Data Processing) (index no. 9551-00).
Paul Scherrer Institut, Human Resources Management, Sabine Mier, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerlandwww.psi.chApply nowApply with xeebo
