Postdoc in High-Performance Computing

Tasks

Are you a highly motivated researcher with a burning interest in HPC (high-performance computing) and a drive to solve complex scientific challenges? Do you thrive in an R&D environment where your ideas and the software you develop have a direct impact on cutting-edge research?

We are seeking postdocs as HPC software researchers for the scientific software unit at the KTH Center for Scientific Computing (KCSC). The position is funded by SSF within the SEESSI initiative, whose goal is to adapt Sweden's leading software in molecular dynamics, fluid mechanics, and quantum chemistry for next-generation hardware.

You will be part of a project team of HPC software researchers at KCSC who collaborate closely with and create concrete impact for three of Sweden's leading HPC codes: GROMACS (one of the world's most used software packages for molecular dynamics), Neko (a highly scalable framework for fluid mechanics computations that was nominated for the 2023 ACM Gordon Bell Prize), and VeloxChem (a versatile open-source software for quantum chemical calculations).

As a postdoc, your focus will be to develop innovative, technology-aware algorithmic methods aimed at these strategic software packages. Our goal is to go beyond traditional performance optimization; through an interdisciplinary approach, we will further develop or redesign central algorithms for modern HPC architectures, with energy efficiency as a central design criterion.

Key research goals include:

Mixed-precision algorithms: Design and implement formulations for central domain-specific computational kernels to leverage hardware with low numerical precision without compromising the accuracy of the simulations. Data-centric optimization: Design and implement communication schemes and data access strategies tailored for systems beyond the exascale, for example via GPU-centric communication techniques. Collaboration and impact: We encourage you to publish your research and participate in leading international conferences. This gives you the opportunity to contribute directly to the central codebases and reach a global user group.

Qualifications

Requirements

A completed doctoral degree or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made. Very good practical experience in software development in modern C++ and/or Fortran. Experience in parallel programming for multi-core processors (CPUs), GPUs, and distributed systems using programming models such as OpenMP, CUDA, SYCL, MPI, and OpenSHMEM. Practical experience in optimizing software for large-scale HPC systems, including advanced tracing and performance profiling on modern HPC platforms. Excellent communication skills in English as well as a documented ability to communicate research results as required in daily work. Ability to work independently on technical solutions and research questions while contributing constructively as part of a team.

We are seeking a candidate with solid experience in software development for scientific applications and high-performance computing, as well as deep expertise in performance optimization.

Merit

A doctoral degree or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree was obtained no more than three years before the application deadline. Experience in performance modeling, performance analysis, and optimization for heterogeneous architectures. Experience in software development within any of the following areas: molecular dynamics, fluid mechanics computations, or quantum chemistry. Experience working with large-scale scientific software projects and research collaborations. Awareness of issues concerning diversity and equal opportunities, with a particular focus on gender equality.

We will place great emphasis on personal qualities.

Become part of KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research, and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in driving and contributing to the transition to a sustainable society. Here, you are offered the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic workplace with good working conditions and benefits. Equality, diversity, and equal opportunities are a matter of quality and an inherent part of KTH's values as a university and a government agency.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work and develop at KTH.

Union representatives

Contact details for union representatives.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application should contain:

CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge. Copy of degree certificates and transcripts from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in either of these languages. A brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max 2 pages long.

The application must reach KTH no later than the application deadline at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The employment is permanent, but for a maximum of two years.

A postdoc employment is a time-limited qualifying position primarily focused on research, intended as a first career step after graduation.

Other

For information regarding the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment.

An employment at KTH may be subject to security clearance. If this is the case for this specific employment, a security clearance of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. In these cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security clearance.

We decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of job advertisements.