Postdoctoral researcher in High Performance Computing

The University | About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its "international outlook," #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) contributes multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences and Medicine. Through its dual mission of teaching and research, the FSTM seeks to generate and disseminate knowledge and train new generations of responsible citizens, in order to better understand, explain and advance society and environment we live in.

Since 2006, the University of Luxembourg has invested in its own High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities. Special focus was laid on developing large computing power combined with huge data storage capacity to accelerate the research performed in intensive computing and large-scale data analytics (Big Data). This characteristic distinguishes the HPC center at the university from many other HPC facilities, which often concentrate on only one of these two pillars. Nowadays, the UL HPC team is deeply involved in national and European HPC developments. Further information can be found on hpc.uni.lu. The activities include classical HPC applications such as simulation and modeling, but also artificial intelligence and machine learning, bridging computational science, with data science, and data management (IoT/Edge/HPC).

Your Role...

This is a fully funded position for 24 months in the HEXAPIC project conducted in collaboration with the team of Prof. Leon Kos at University of Ljubljana.

The HEXAPIC project aims to develop a novel high-performance Particle-In-Cell (PIC) code for plasma physics simulations, leveraging the capabilities of exascale computing systems. By optimizing PIC algorithms for modern heterogeneous architectures, including CPUs, GPUs, and other accelerators, the project seeks to achieve unprecedented efficiency and resolution in plasma simulations. This advancement will enable high-fidelity modeling of complex plasma processes, contributing significantly to fields such as fusion reactor design, material deposition technologies, and space propulsion systems. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team to push the boundaries of plasma physics and computational science.

The position holder will be required to perform the following tasks/will do research on the following topics:

• Contribute to the HEXAPIC project
• Carry out research in the predefined areas
• Disseminate results in top scientific venues
• Providing guidance to PhD and MSc students
• Participating in proposal writing
• Participating to the teaching activities
• Present results in international conferences and workshops

For inquiries, please contact Dr. Ezhilmathi KRISHNASAMY and Dr. Julien SCHLEICH

What we expect from you…

• A PhD degree in Computer Science, Physics or a related field.
• Experience with parallel programming models
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ and/or Python
• Knowledge of distributed memory programming with MPI.
• Understanding of plasma physics and computational plasma physics.
• Experience with Particle-In-Cell (PIC) code development and kinetic models.
• Experience in high-performance computing (HPC) and/or GPU computing is desirable;
• Sound publication track record in relevant international conferences and top journals,
• Highly committed, excellent team-worker, and strong critical thinking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Language Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

How to apply...

Your application (in PDF format) should include:

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, including (recent) photograph, your contact address, training record, work experience, and publications,
• Letter of intent including the personal motivations for applying to the University of Luxembourg and its HPC,
• Certified copies of degree certificates, incl. a transcript of courses taken (with grades)
• Names and contact details of three referees.

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 1st of October 2024. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Campus Belval
• Internal Title: Postdoctoral researcher
• Job Reference: UOL06582

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 83099 (full time)