Research Software Engineer*in (m/f/d)

01.11.2024

Research Software Engineer (m/f/d)

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent interdisciplinary research.

For the newly created Land Use Transition Lab PIK is offering a position as

Research Software Engineer (m/f/d)

(Position number: 59-2024 Software Engineer)

in the field of global land use modeling, starting as soon as possible.

The position:

As part of our Research Software Engineering team you will play a crucial role in shaping the further development of MAgPIE (github.com/magpiemodel/magpie), a leading global land use modeling framework, along with its associated tools and libraries (github.com/pik-piam). In our group, we are committed to open research, which means all our software is published open source. As a member of our team, you will contribute to improving the accessibility of our tools for external users, fostering the growth of our community of partners, colleagues, and developers.

We are currently in an exciting phase of growth, experiencing a rising demand for our models, tools, and expertise. To adapt to these challenges, we are seeking innovative solutions. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to explore novel approaches and help us stay at the forefront of the field.

Through your work, you will contribute to international reports on climate change, such as those published by the IPCC, UNCCD, UNEP gap, or IPBES.

Key responsibilities:

• Drive transparency, reproducibility, and reusability of MAgPIE and its associated tool chain, ensuring that our software is accessible and understandable to the wider community.
• Proactively identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the expanding developer community centered around MAgPIE, by exploring and developing innovative concepts and solutions.
• Continuously enhance the technical capabilities of MAgPIE and its supporting tools, leveraging the latest advancements in technology to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
• Strengthen the accessibility and visibility of our work through user-friendly tutorials, and engaging presentations, enabling users to effectively utilize and understand the functionalities of our tools.

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field
• Profound experience in programming, preferably in R (including creation and maintenance of packages as well as testing), GAMS and/or Python
• Experience in data handling, including metadata handling
• Fluency in version control management (git, GitHub & GitHub actions)
• Familiarity in scientific modeling is an asset
• Experience in working with HPCs and/or Linux systems is an asset

We expect:

• the ability to work independently and on your own initiative
• a methodical and systematic approach
• structured and goal-oriented thinking
• capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
• creativity and openness to new approaches
• a high level of competence in oral and written German and English
• reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
• capacity for teamwork

We offer:

• the chance to be part of an engaged, interdisciplinary team,
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin,
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours),
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job.

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a transcript evaluation, please note that you may have to request one if your application is successful. For further information, please visit the website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

For further information or to discuss the position please contact Dr. Jan Philipp Dietrich.