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 future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. 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 2300 people.

PSI has expanded its focus areas and established a new research division: The Center for Scientific Computing, Theory and Data (CSD). In recognition of the importance and globally unique ensemble of large facilities at PSI, a keystone to the new division is supporting the operations and experiments with their increasing challenges and opportunities for a unique digital environment. Within the division, the Science IT Infrastructure and Services department delivers scientific software, high performance computing and data lifecycle solutions to support research at the large scale research facilities and the wider PSI science program. Our in-house innovations and outreach activities with a world-leading national and international network of academic and industry collaborations is ensuring a growing platform to support the escalating opportunities from novel opportunities in scientific computing and the digitalization of science. For our HPCE Group within the Science IT Infrastructure and Services Department we are looking for a

Scientific Computing Engineer for Biology

Apply online now

Your tasks

You will work as part of the High Performance Computing and Emerging Technologies (HPCE) group that is providing scientific computing services to the PSI research divisions. You will serve as the team's contact and expert for PSI's Center for Life Sciences (CLS) You will be leading the efforts ito establish the workflows, IT environment, and software installations of CLS scientists on Switzerland’s new flagship supercomputer ALPS at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS).

Your tasks will be:
  • Implement and coordinate the migration of applications and workflows of the Center for Life Sciences, CLS, to the ALPS supercomputing infrastructure, close collaboration with internal and external experts to optimize application efficiency on the new infrastructure
  • Serve as the primary contact for the Scientists at CLS for their scientific computing requirements
  • Improve existing scientific IT services and establish new ones for the advanced computational demands of the division
  • Provide expert support regarding high performance computing requirements and workflows, particularly for Cryo Electron Microscopy, x-ray crystallography and X-ray imaging data
  • Support of computational data analysis at CLS, including management of the respective scientific computing software stack and support in managing and adapting the computational environment for CLS users
  • Support with planning and implementing professional data management practices and hardware resources for CLS

Your profile

  • Master or PhD degree in bioinformatics, computer science, or natural sciences with equivalent practical experience
  • Experience in running and compiling applications in Linux based HPC/HTC environments, good general Linux skills, optimally also experience in managing and administrating Linux environments, background in Scientific Computing in any of the following areas strongly desirable: structural biology (protein crystallography and/or cryo-electron microscopy), advanced image analysis, molecular modelling, bioinformatics
  • Proficient in English
  • Excellent communication skills within a computational and life science research environment
  • Good project management and multitasking skills

We offer

Our 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 is a fixed-term position. The employment contract will (initially) be limited to 1 year with a potential extension for a second year.

For further information, please contact Dr Derek Heinrich Feichtinger, email derek.feichtinger@psi.ch or Dr Gregor Cicchetti, email gregor.cicchetti@psi.ch.

Please submit your application online by 6 December 2024 for the position as a Scientific Computing Engineer for Biology (index no. 7905-00).

Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Mariusz Prus, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland