Research Scientist - Machine Learning

Work group:

JSC - Jülich Supercomputing Centre

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:

How can science benefit from the recent explosion of Machine Learning? How can we make Artificial Intelligence a part of the next generations of experiments, simulations, scientific instruments and use it to gain insight? How can we leverage supercomputing power for these goals? The Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) hosts the Algorithm Tools and Methods Lab "Applied Machine Learning". In our lab, we develop new ML applications for science, with special focus on HPC systems. We identify exciting data sets, develop interesting research questions, train powerful models, and try to push further what is possible with AI. To achieve this, we team up with researchers from all scientific disciplines and jointly develop innovative approaches to bring their fields forward. For example, in the GAIA-X project OpenGPT-X, we will develop a large-scale language model for European languages as a foundation for our partner`s applications. The Jülich Supercomputing Centre operates one of the most powerful supercomputer infrastructures for scientific and engineering applications in Europe. At JSC researchers from different fields are working together to push the boundaries of scientific computing and artificial intelligence.

Your Job:

In this position, you will be an active part of our AI Consulting Team. Together with our partners, we develop new, innovative applications of Machine Learning. One aspect of your work will be high-performance, parallel training of large-scale language models in the context of the OpenGPT-X project. Furthermore, you will connect to scientists and investigate possible applications of ML in fields like Chemistry, Numerics, Computational Biology, Astrophysics, Heliophyics etc. You will get in touch with domain scientists, understand the research question, formulate ML approaches, and implement prototypical solutions. In more detail, your work comprises the following tasks:

• Identify new applications for Machine Learning in science, engineering, and technology


• Develop and implement new and refine existing ML techniques


• Implement ML training on the High Performance Computers with a particular focus on large-scale language models


• Engage in national and international ML/DL communities, most importantly helmholtz.ai, the Helmholtz Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Unit


• Present research results at scientific meetings, conferences, and as scientific papers

Your Profile:

• Excellent Master and PhD (preferred) degree in science, engineering, or computer science


• Broad interest in scientific topics


• Very good knowledge and experience in applied Machine Learning


• Experience with High Performance Systems or solid UNIX background


• Self-motivated personality, with the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and environment on challenging problems


• Very good command of written and spoken English


• Practical experience with ML/DL t workflows and common software libraries


• Your experience should be documented in research papers and open source code projects

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Work on frontiers of scientific and technological challenges with access to cutting-edge and unique supercomputing systems including Quantum Computers and ML supercomputers


• Engage in NLP, one of the most exciting and fast-paced disciplines of Machine Learning, and train the largest and most advanced models


• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development


• Extensive company health management


• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy


• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work


• Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours and 30 days of annual leave


• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is initially for a fixed term of 2 years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD).Please note that at the same time as this position, a vacancy for a ‘Software Engineer High Performance Computing / Large Scale Neural Language Processing Modeling / Machine Learning’ position is published.Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations.We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.