Scientist (f/m/d) Scientific software development and user support in the field of materials research

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers; Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Remote-work options

30 days annual leave

KIT-Family+

Job summary

KIT's Scientific Computing Center (SCC) seeks a Research Software Engineer to advance high-performance computing in materials science. You will develop domain-specific languages and tools to improve usability and productivity, conduct methodological research, and maintain software repos and databases.

You will publish results and train users through tutorials. Applicants should hold Master and PhD in STEM, with strong Python skills, HPC awareness, English fluency, and experience with Git/GitHub

Qualifications

• Master's degree and PhD in a STEM field (CS, math, physics)
• Strong Python programming
• Experience with GitLab/GitHub; CI/CD experience is a plus
• Basic knowledge of HPC
• Good English language skills
• Linux and MongoDB knowledge; other languages like C++/Fortran are advantageous
• Interest in interdisciplinary projects and independent work within a team
• Experience dealing with partners and customers is advantageous

Responsibilities

• Engage in research software engineering for high-performance computing in materials science
• Develop domain-specific languages and supporting tools to improve usability, productivity, and reusability
• Plan, implement, test new features and fix bugs; maintain software repositories and databases
• Publish methodological results at conferences and seminars
• Support users of the new tools in their projects and organize tutorials

Skills

Python

English

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Master's degree

PhD degree

Tools

Git

GitLab

GitHub

Linux

MongoDB

C++

Fortran

Job description

Research Software Engineer

The Scientific Computing Center (SCC) is a central scientific institution at KIT that supports research, teaching, and innovation, and provides cross-functional services within KIT and to external parties.

You will be involved in research software engineering (RSE) in the context of high-performance computing in the field of materials research. An important focus of your work is the development of domain-specific languages and supporting tools as interfaces to improve the usability of the codes, models, and data, as well as the productivity of end users, the reusability of code and data, and thus to avoid unnecessary calculations. You will conduct methodological research and actively participate in the planning, implementation, and testing of new features, as well as in bug fixes. Another task is the continuous maintenance of software repositories and databases. You will publish the results of your methodological research at conferences and in seminars. Furthermore, you will support users in the use of the newly developed tools in their projects and occasionally organize tutorials for them.

Your Profile

• You hold a finished Study (Masterlevel) and a PhD degree in computer science, mathematics, physics, or another STEM subject
• Strong programming skills in Python
• Strong knowledge of software development, ideally with experience in a scientific-technical environment
• Experience with Git, Gitlab, and/or Github; experience with continuous integration is an advantage
• Basic knowledge of high-performance computing
• Very good English language skills
• Linux, database knowledge (MongoDB), and other programming language skills (such as C++, Fortran) are an advantage
• Interest in working on an interdisciplinary project with scientific and technical challenges, as well as solving the tasks in the project independently or together with an interdisciplinary team in a short period of time
• Experience in dealing with cooperation partners and customers is an advantage

We Offer

• Science for Impact: Engage with topics of societal relevance - in an excellent scientific environment that enables change
• Flexible Working Hours: Take advantage of flexible-hours schemes, remote-work options, and a 30-day annual leave entitlement to achieve an optimal work-life balance
• Career-Building and Developmental Opportunities: We provide you with a structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing-education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth
• Family-friendliness: The "KIT-Family +" program assists you in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent-child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives
• Stay Healthy: Under the motto "Fit at KIT - Body, Mind and Soul," we promote your well-being through fitness classes and mental-health programmes
• Individualised Extra Benefits: Enjoy a corporate pension (VBL), a €25 monthly contribution toward a JobTicket BW, plus a broad selection of cultural and recreational programmes

Job location: Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (and Karlsruhe)

Salary: Salary category 13 TV-L; classification is based on personal and professional qualifications

Contract duration: two years

Contact person in line-management: Dr. Ivan Kondov, Dr. Jasmin Hörter

If you have general questions about the application process, please contact Dominik Meschar Personalservice (PSE)

At KIT we value the diversity of our employees; different perspectives and backgrounds enrich our work. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Applications from recognized severely disabled individuals are given preferential consideration when qualifications are equal

Application up to: 2026.11.16 Job posting number: 407/2026

Tagged as: Life Sciences