Open Position Research Software Engineer position at IFAE (PIC)

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About PIC (IFAE)

The Barcelona Institute for High Energy Physics (IFAE) announces the opening of a Research Software Engineer in the PIC Data Center. IFAE is a world-renowned center for its fundamental research in Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology, and offers an international, dynamic and competitive environment for the training of young researchers.

Port d’Informació Científica (PIC) is a scientific-technological center specialized in developing advanced tools and methods for scientific data analysis. We participate in research projects across multiple disciplines with challenging data environments, including particle physics, astrophysics, biology, materials science, and others. Our main objective is to accelerate research by making data analysis more effective through the use of Machine Learning, High-Throughput Computing, and Big Data techniques, using distributed computing to support collaborative research.

PIC operates through a collaboration agreement between CIEMAT and IFAE research centers. PIC was initially established to participate at the highest level in the data system of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. It is one of the 14 Tier-1 centers worldwide. Moreover, PIC collaborates in research projects in optical galaxy surveys (DES, PAU, Euclid, DESI, DESC-LSST), gamma-ray astronomy (MAGIC, CTA) and gravitational wave astronomy (LIGO, Virgo, Einstein Telescope). Multi-Messenger astronomy is based on the simultaneous recording and interpretation of various signals from space. Therefore, PIC is in a unique position to exploit synergies and accelerate multi-messenger astronomy analyses by developing tools and methods that combine the data coming from the different instruments.

About ACME

The gamma-ray astrophysics group at IFAE has led the design, construction, technical operation, and scientific activity of the latest generations of ground-based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACT). The group is one of the founding members of the Collaboration operating the Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) Telescopes, for which it provided several key hardware, software, and data management resources. It is also leading the construction and commissioning of the Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs) of the next-generation Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO). IFAE’s gamma-ray group has been consistently involved in the development of reconstruction and analysis software for IACTS, and a contributor - in synergy with the Port d’Informació Cientifica (PIC), to the processing and management of both MAGIC and LSTs data. The group members are also recognised experts in the analysis of the gamma-ray emission of different astrophysical source classes, with a focus on interpreting these results alongside multi-wavelength observations from other instruments. Recently, IFAE has joined the newly funded Astrophysics Centre for Multimessenger Studies in Europe (ACME), whose purpose is to create “expertise centres” to facilitate the access both to multimessenger (MM) data and to the tools for their analysis and interpretation. Within the context of ACME, IFAE aims not only at providing access to more than two decades of MAGIC archival observations, but also to develop tools for their interpretation, such as agnpy, a software modelling the non-thermal emission of active galaxies.

Job Description

• Adapting and deploying data models from various instruments and infrastructures within the ACME collaboration.
• Data ingestion from datasets of various instruments and infrastructures within the ACME collaboration.
• Development of new tools to enable multi-messenger analysis at PIC.
• Training and user support for using the multi-messenger portal at PIC and implementing analysis use cases.
• Participation in ACME Work Package 4 to integrate activities.
• The selected candidate will work at the Port d’Informació Científica (PIC) building, located on the campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in Bellaterra.

Competencies and Qualifications Required

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Python
• Good knowledge of statistics
• Advanced level of English (written and spoken)

Applied Knowledge

• Experience in designing and developing complex software
• Strong knowledge of Unix (Mac OS or Linux)
• Experience with collaborative development software and platforms (e.g., git, GitHub)
• Experience with the Python scientific ecosystem

Personal Skills

• Autonomy
• Teamwork
• Commitment and responsibility

Degree and area of specialization

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or Physics.
• Master’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Master’s in High-Energy Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology.

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:

• Knowledge, Experience, and Technical Competence: 50 points
• Suitability for the activities to be performed: 50 points

Offered contract

• Full-time contract (40 h/week)
• Duration: 2 years
• Contract: Indefinido Actividades Científico Técnicas
• The position will correspond to an Engineer
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first-hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.

Application and Selection process

Candidates are required to have a PhD degree in GW Physics and an excellent CV. They should provide an expression of interest, a CV, and arrange for three letters of reference, sent by email to pic.jobs@pic.es , blanch@ifae.es 2025/27_PIC + ACME _ ENGINEER ”.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Jordi Delgado (jordidem@pic.es ) Dr. Oscar Blanch (blanch@ifae.es )

www.ifae.es IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply. In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.

Funding Statement