Scientific Software Developer - LCLS Data Platforms

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of people to solve complex challenges? Does contributing to breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? The Experimental Data Systems (EDS) division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Scientific Software Developer to work on the development and optimization of advanced data analysis algorithms and complex computational workflows.

LCLS is the world¿s premier X-ray free electron laser (XFEL), with unprecedented capabilities in photon energy range, peak power, and pulse lengths. There are 7 independent instruments currently in operation, which are specifically designed to utilize the exceptional beam characteristics of the LCLS to elucidate atomic structures and dynamics at the femtosecond timescale. The evolution of science and experimental techniques on these instruments, along with upgrades in the x-ray FEL source and optical lasers (LCLS-II and LCLS-II-HE), require regular improvements to the supporting software and hardware platforms.

The position will focus on the design, development and integration of new data processing algorithms, data structures and workflows within the EDS software and hardware platforms, as well as supporting, maintaining and optimizing existing data analysis code and pipelines, with a specific focus on adapting them to the improved repetition rate of LCLS-II.A significant aspect of the role will be to interface with collaborators, users, and their teams/students to support their data analysis and needs, and to help them scale their code and algorithms within LCLS-II software framework.

The successful candidate should be comfortable in designing and writing efficient, scalable and documented code in the Python and C/C programming languages, and should have experience with several widely-used scientific computational libraries and frameworks like numpy, scipy, pandas. Additionally, the candidate should have demonstrable experience with some standard HPC software packages like MPI, SLURM. The candidate should demonstrate advanced organizational skills and be able to plan, execute and manage complex software development projects. Proven experience in collaborative coding and scientific programming is required. Experience in data design and management is preferred Furthermore, background in machine learning for science is a plus.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park; CA

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Design and implement new algorithms and pipelines to analyze scientific data generated by LCLS
• Maintain existing data analysis workflow and optimize them for scaled performance
• Interface with external collaborators and users and provide technical support to facilitate their use of LCLS infrastructure.
• Support the infrastructure for the development of new machine learning data analysis approaches.
• Implement tests and benchmark studies and establish continuous integration practices for code maintenance.
• Support users of the scientific instruments in running self-developed data analysis software within the LCLS software framework, consulting with external software developers and designing integrated solutions.
• Additional opportunities include:
• Participate in and contribute to general group research activities.
• Represent your research results at seminars, scientific conferences, and workshops.
  
  

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and programming tools.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, developing, testing, and deploying applications.
• Strong understanding of data design, architecture, relational databases, and data modeling.
• Thorough understanding of all aspects of software development life cycle and quality control practices.
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical clients.
• Demonstrated experience leading activities on structured team development projects.
• Ability to select, adapt, and effectively use a variety of programming methods.
• Ability to recognize and recommend needed changes in user and/or operations procedures
• In addition, preferred requirements include:
• Experience with HPC software deployment and task scheduling systems (module system, SLURM).
• Background in x-ray or material science.
• A degree or background in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Sciences, Chemistry, Biology or Material sciences is preferred
  
  

SLAC Employee Competencies

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.
  
  

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1¿General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• Classification Title: Software Developer 3
• Job code: 4823, Grade: L
• Duration: Regular Continuing
  
  

The expected pay range for this position is $160,221 - $190,905 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.