Open position

Open Positions

We have an open position for a


Scientific Software Engineer / Computational Scientist (f/m/d)

to reinforce our team working on the open-source project OpenFPM (openfpm.mpi-cbg.de), a transparent middleware for distributed parallel computing. The position is in the research group of Ivo Sbalzarini, who develops cutting-edge algorithms and methods for computer simulations and high-performance computing.


Your qualifications


Applicants are expected to have a M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) or a PhD in Computer Science, Scientific Computing, Computational Science, or related areas. Excellent C++ programming skills, including Template Meta Programming, and experience with numerical methods and their efficient implementation are required. Experience in parallel programming with OpenMP, MPI, or CUDA is helpful. Proficiency with developer tools such as git, Github, Jenkins or Travis, automated test suits, etc. is an essential necessity. An additional requirement are English language skills, both spoken and written, as the entire project is conducted in English and English is the working language at our institute. In particular, the assignment includes

  • Implementation of advanced numerical methods (e.g., DC-PSE, Adaptive Particle Representations, generalized Poisson solvers, non-equidistant Fourier transforms, high-dimensional polynomial interpolation, etc.) as reusable, tested, and documented modules in the OpenFPM framework.
  • Help extending the OpenFPM core to support the implemented extensions.
  • Benchmark the resulting codes for performance, parallel scalability, and numerical accuracy.
  • Writing the technical code documentation.
  • Applying the code to simulations in collaboration with groups from physics (Frank Jülicher + Carl Modes)

Our offer


We offer a highly dynamic and international working environment with state-of-the-art computational facilities, including an on-site high-performance computing installation, an immersive virtual-reality visualization CAVE, and modern office space in a building dedicated to computational work. You will be working with computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers from all over the world to solve challenges in computer simulation methodology with specific applications to the life sciences.


Application and Contact


The full-time position is available from April 1, 2019. The initial contract is for 3 years with possible extension. Salary and social benefits will be in accordance with the regulations of the German TVöD Bund (salary agreement for public service employees). We especially encourage women to apply.


The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, is an international research institute and the Center for Systems Biology Dresden is also affiliated with the Department of Computer Science of TU Dresden. Currently about 500 employees are working at the institute, with 53 nations represented. MPI-CBG has twice been awarded the title “Best Place to Work” (Academia and postdocs) by the journal “The Scientist”. In the past years, Dresden has developed into one of the leading scientific centers. As a city of about half a million inhabitants, it hosts 19 world-class research institutions with a vibrant international community. Dresden was awarded the title City of Science in 2006. It is picturesquely located on the river Elbe, about 2 hours away from Berlin and Prague, and offers a high, family-friendly quality of life at low price level.


The Max Planck Society is committed to employ more people with disabilities and actively seeks their applications.


Please submit your complete application (CV, description of previous accomplishments, letter of motivation, contact details of three referees) by February 1, 2019, as a single PDF file via our online application system stating Code 2019-OpenFPM at the institute's central application system.


In addition, the Center for Systems Biology Dresden continuously offers positions for Internships, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers in the framework of the following programs: