About us:

The University Observatory Munich is a historic, 200-year-old observatory that is part of the Physics Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU). It hosts about 10 professors and their research groups that cover broad areas of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Planetary Science. In collaboration with the IT Service Group (Rechnerbetriebsgruppe) at the Faculty of Physics, a hierarchy of computing solutions exists to serve these researchers. The spectrum of services in our cross-site network ranges from high-performance computing to storage in the petabyte range and virtualization, to client systems with Windows, Linux and macOS. As one of Europe’s leading research universities, the LMU in Munich is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching.

For more information please visit USM Home (uni-muenchen.de)

We are looking for you:

IT Specialist (m/f/x)

in Munich

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Your major duties include maintaining and improving IT services at the USM, including capabilities for high-performance computing (HPC), providing consultation on software engineering and optimization as well as maintaining infrastructure for research data management and storage
• You will divide your time between performing high-level systems administration tasks and working on software engineering and data science projects together with scientists from USM alsways focusing on the needs of the USM scientists
• Conceptual collaboration in the development and establishment of strategies and guidelines for research data management in coordination with researchers and cooperating institutions
• You will be part of a management committee that meets every two to three months to assess the status of scientific computing at the USM, where you will take the lead on implementing proposals for improvements by trialling new software solutions to expand the range of services offered.

Your qualifications:

• Excellent MSc and PhD degree in the field of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science/Informatics, Engineering, Astrophysics or comparable Natural Sciences and enthusiastic about programming and IT in general
• Strong knowledge about operating systems, especially Linux and macOS, including the ability to troubleshoot and diagnose system and network issues
• Proficiency in programming languages used for scientific computing (Python, C/C++, Fortran, Julia, etc.) as well as in scripting languages for administration like Bash
• Familiarity with version control systems, especially with Git
• Experience with high performance computing (HPC), including cluster components
• Knowledge of performance optimization techniques, including compiler flags, profiling tools, and parallelization libraries (MPI, OpenMP)
• Ability to communicate and provide tailored guidance to users of varying expertise, from students to advanced programmers and scientists
• Hardware knowledge is an advantage, but not a prerequisite as this expertise exists within the RBG
• Independent, pro-active, structured and solution-oriented work attitude, analytical thinking and enjoyment of working in an international and collaborative environment
• Fluency in English is a must, as the language of communication in research is English

Benefits:

If you fulfil all the requirements, you may be eligible for a salary grade up to E 13- E 14. Social benefits are based on the Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees (TV-L). The position has an (initial) fixed term of two years but may be extended under certain circumstances.

The successful candidate will work in the city center of Munich and will have access to extensive training and career development activities offered by the LMU.

You can also count on the following concrete benefits:

• Company pension scheme
• Capital forming payments
• Compatibility between family and work:
  • Flexible work times
  • Support by childcare (e.g. offer of vacations- and emergency childcare)
• Development programs in all career steps
• Participation in symposia and conferences
• Offer of health protecion activities
• Theater and culture: special events, discounts and flyers
• Mobility: jobtickets, charging stations for electric cars, and discounted membership by Share Now (Carsharing)

Also possible in a part-time capacity.

Contact:

Please send your application including your desired starting date and the contact details of two academic referees by e-mail (single PDF) to bewerbung.rbg@physik.uni-muenchen.de, by December 20, 2023 at the latest. For questions about the position, please don’t hesitate to contact Prof. Kevin Heng (kevin.heng@physik.lmu.de) or Dr. Robert Redl (robert.redl@lmu.de)

Prof. Dr. Kevin Heng
Professor for Theoretical Astrophysics
Scheinerstraße 1
81679 München, Germany
Tel. +49 (0)89 2180 6949

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