The BBSRC/EPSRC-funded Bristol Synthetic Biology Research Centre (BrisSynBio) invites applications for a Junior Research Software Engineer / Junior HPC Systems Administrator, who will work with BrisSynBio in the Advanced Computing Research Centre (ACRC), one of the UK’s leading University High Performance Computing and Research Data Storage Facilities. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, talented and highly motivated individual to begin a career as a Research Software Engineer and HPC Systems Administrator. The successful applicant will work with researchers in the field of synthetic biology across the biological, physical, engineering and mathematical sciences.

Applicants are expected to have a background in computational research, computer programming and/or HPC systems administration, and have the motivation, demeanour and communication skills necessary to work effectively as part of a large team to help develop solutions to a wide array of problems. The successful applicant will receive tailored advanced training in HPC systems administration, computer programming and applications of synthetic biology, which will build on their existing knowledge. Applicants must therefore be prepared for, and have the desire to rapidly assimilate new skills. Much of the position will involve working face-to-face with researchers across a range of departments across the University, so excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the desire to hot-desk and work effectively with lots of different people and personalities is necessary. The role will involve; (1) providing research software engineering support to researchers in BrisSynBio, e.g. by leading training workshops in programming and software carpentry, and by supporting scientists in the programming and optimisation of research software for applications in synthetic biology, and (2) providing HPC systems administration support to BlueGem, the BrisSynBio compute cluster, comprising over 900 Intel Haswell cores, 8 K80 nVidia GPU accelerators, connected via a 2:1 QDR Infiniband network, and utilising ~60 TB of Panasas high performance and high availability storage.

The position should be taken up by early Summer 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter. Later start dates can be considered, particularly if the applicant is available to work part time to undertake the necessary training over the summer.

The successful applicant will be a full member of both the ACRC and BrisSynBio Research Centre, and would be expected to participate fully in the both the ACRC’s and the Centre’s activities. The position reports formally to the Research Computing Manager in the ACRC, with co-management provided by the Scientific Manager of BrisSynBio. In addition, the successful applicant will work closely with the University’s EPSRC Research Software Engineering Fellow, who will supply the necessary training and provide day-to-day supervision and support.

Salary: £31,656 – £35,609 per annum, full time, 3 year contract

Closing Date: Tuesday 10th May 2016

For further information on this post, and to apply, please see: http://goo.gl/JhPfYQ

For informal enquires please contact the BrisSynBio Scientific Manager, Dr Kathleen Sedgley (Tel: 0117 39 41297 or email K.Sedgley@bristol.ac.uk). For HPC/RSE particulars, please contact the EPSRC Research Software Engineering Fellow, Dr Christopher Woods (email Christopher.Woods@bristol.ac.uk).