Computational Mechanics Support Scientist/Engineer: High Performance Computing (HPC) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Computational Mechanics Support Scientist/Engineer: HPC in the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) area within the National Integrated Cyber-Infrastructure System (NICIS). The incumbent will be responsible to support and maintain a variety of application software packages for a wide range of researchers in the academic, public sector, private sector and internal researchers making use of the CHPC's high performance computing cluster resources. This position is based in Rosebank, Cape Town.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to the CHPC HPC users (including software and workflow support, development and/or customization of user scripts and effective communication with stakeholders) to ensure effective usage of computer platforms;
• Compile and maintain a wide variety of software and libraries in a Linux environment (for compilers, MPI libraries, Python, R, Perl, etc.) on the CHPC compute systems;
• Test and benchmark HPC applications software to determine optimum set-up and efficient use at the CHPC with the aim to advise users on best practices in making use of the software;
• Support data intensive research programs which may include cloud-based applications of users;
• Work together with other staff members in implementing user support projects that can assist the development of the Centre;
• Provide support, implement and/or participate in activities across all regions of South Africa, and possibly other overseas countries, depending on the need;
• Participate in the human capital development initiatives and trainings to the benefit of the users and the broader research community;
• Develop and optimise methods to pursue HPC applications research.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in computational mechanics (e.g., fluid Dynamics, structural mechanics, electromagnetics, discreet element methods, etc.) or data science with at least two years’ experience in supporting users of HPC Linux based compute infrastructures;  
• A Doctoral degree in the one of the above disciplines will be advantageous;

The following attributes are not a prerequisite, but will be advantageous:

• Experience with setting up or managing multi-node parallel computing systems;
• Experience in developing parallel programmed software.
• Experience and skill with Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Ability to teach at a post-graduate level

Must have:

• Intimate familiarity with the research environment and challenges within South Africa;
• Strong Linux operating system competency;
• Experience with installing, compiling and using open-source high-performance computing applications software;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written);
• A commitment to continuous learning;
• Competence with at least one programming language widely used in the research environment, such as Python, R, C, C++ or Fortran;