Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Germany

June 11th, 2003

We are seeking to fill a Research Programmer position at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) in Potsdam, Germany. The AEI is an internationally reknowned institute, comprising approximately 80 researchers active in the field of general relativity and quantum gravity.

The position would primarily support the local numerical relativity group in the development of computational infrastructure for large scale simulations of astrophysical phenomena, including black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational waves. Our codes are based on the Cactus (www.cactuscode.org) framework, incorporating a number of locally developed physics modules. The successful applicant will join an exciting, high profile international project involving collaborators from around the world that draws from many computational science activities, with applications in a number of research areas beyond numerical relativity. Our group is strongly involved in a number of multi-disciplinary collaborations in physics and computer science, including the GridLab project (www.gridlab.org), the GriKSL project (www.griksl.org), and the EU Astrophysics network (www.eu-network.org).

The position would involve:

• providing software engineering support for the group, and contributing required fixes to core Cactus infrastructure.
• supporting the development of physics modules based on requirements of local research activities.
• working on various supercomputers in Europe and US to support the groups large scale simulations on these machines. For example, advising and developing tools for the use of different batch queues, filesystems and corresponding with system administrators at the centers.
• supporting, optimising and debugging MPI codes.
• working in large collaborative groups making use of web technologies, mailing lists and CVS.

Applications are invited from physicists with experience in high performance computing, and/or computer scientists with interest in application-oriented software development.

Applicants should either have knowledge and experience of the following, or be prepared and able to develop skills in these areas:

• common software development languages and tools: Perl, C, C++, Fortran, gmake, autoconf, MPI, CVS
• parallel programming (primarily with MPI)
• numerical methods and algorithms, including interpolation, reduction, basic finite differencing principles
• debuggers and profilers, particularly in an HPC environment

Knowledge or interest in gravitational physics and black holes would be advantageous but is not necessary.

The AEI is committed to employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified women and men, including visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.

The position is available to start in July 2003 or at a mutually agreed date thereafter. Applications, including a full C.V. and the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent to Denis Pollney (pollney@aei.mpg.de), Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Am Muehlenberg 1, Potsdam 14476, Germany.

For more information about this position, or other available positions at the AEI please contact Denis Pollney (pollney@aei.mpg.de), Ed Seidel (eseidel@aei.mpg.de) or Gabrielle Allen (allen@aei.mpg.de).