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• Scientific IT Specialist at the Albert Einstein Institute

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The Astrophysical Relativity Division of the Albert Einstein Institute (Max-Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics) in Potsdam (Germany) seeks a creative individual with experience in both scientific research and information technology (IT) to fill a new hybrid research/IT position within the Institute. While great flexibility is left in the vision of the position, which the candidate will also help define, the successful applicant is expected to assist the scientists in their computational efforts to model sources of gravitational waves. On a case-by-case basis, the successful applicant may also negotiate a fraction of his/her time for use in independent research.

The initial mandate of the position is threefold. First, assisting the scientists in the development of their numerical codes and in their optimization to best exploit new supercomputing infrastructures and architectures (eg. MPI, openMP, etc). Second, investigating the best and most effective computational solutions that could be relevant for the scientific research carried out by the scientists. Third, as changing scientific conditions and computational resources dictate (eg. cloud computing, GPUs, etc), develop new strategies that exploit them at best and train the scientists in their use.

The position is initially for 5 years, but it could be extended to longer periods and may eventually become permanent. The salary will be a very competitive one within the German scientific system and could include additional allowances if the candidate also manages a small group.

Applications should be submitted by Dec. 31st 2009 and the search will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

EDUCATION:

• A PhD or PhD-level experience in Physics, Math, Computer Science or closely related discipline.

• A proficient knowledge of written and spoken English

EXPERIENCE:

• Familiarity and previous exposure to scientific culture and operating procedures.

• Expert-level computing skills particularly with respect to HPC on massively parallel platforms, proficiency in several programming languages (C, C++, Fortran, Python, etc.).

• Experience conducting research in physics with preference to relativity, astrophysics and hydrodynamics.

• Previous exposure to the computational infrastructure developed and used at the Institute (eg. Cactus Computational Toolkit, Carpet AMR driver, Whisky HD and MHD code).

The last two intems are important additional values but not pre-requisites.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES

• A positive, outgoing personality with a genuine interest in engaging scientists and assisting them to improve their research.

• A teamwork-oriented, problem-solving attitude and the ability to coordinate and lead a dedicated research group.

• Strong verbal and written skills. The candidate must be able to demonstrate and communicate his visions and suggestions and to train the scientists in the use of new computational strategies.

• The ability to build strong relationships within the local and the global scientific community and become a trusted, expert advisor.

• A flexible working schedule adapted to the equally flexible working schedule of the scientists.

• Reseach-planning and proposal writing abilities: the candidate is expected to assist the scientists in their requests of new computational facilities and to actively attract external funding to promote and support the research of his/her group.