AWE is currently recruiting for a HPC Computational Scientist to join its High Performance Computing Group at a graduate level. This is an ideal launchpad for those interested in scientific computing in both software and hardware disciplines.

During your first two years you will rotate between the various teams making up HPC with plenty of opportunities for on the job training and to develop professionally.

Location: We are located between Reading and Basingstoke, with onsite parking. There are good bus links between Reading, Basingstoke, and Newbury.

Although flexible working is available, due to the nature of these roles, it is anticipated that successful candidates will spend the majority of their time working on site. Team members will need to be available to work at AWE Aldermaston during their working hours.

Package - 31,000 - c 42,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Closing Date: 16th January 2024

If we receive an exceptionally high level of applications, this vacancy may close early, so don't delay, apply now!

What will you be required to do?

Successful candidates will gain first-hand experience of working in the vibrant field of HPC motivated by multi-physics science problems. The HPC group provides scientific computing support to the user community at AWE with significant HPC real estate at its disposal. In addition, there exists multiple small development platforms with novel architectures that are routinely used for code porting and research related activities. The role will involve interacting with code scientists and system administrators to contribute to a variety of support, research and development activities within all levels of our HPC software and hardware.

This opportunity is unique and only a handful of sites in the UK will offer access to compute platforms at the scale that we regularly operate. Throughout your rotation within the group you will work with and learn from subject matter experts with significant experience in this field providing you with a sound foundation for your future technical career.

Our software stack varies ranging from low level machine code to high level languages such as Python and everything in between. The hardware infrastructure includes Linux workstation deployments to supercomputer blades with direct liquid cooling. Our core network infrastructures are purpose built to deal with very large data packets generated by our supercomputers that you are unlikely to find in other commercial organisations in the UK.

Our recent new starters have undertaken a range of projects:

Analysis of load balancing a parallel program

Autonomous optimisation of linear solvers

In-situ large-scale data visualisation

Modifying a CI system to work on HPC Platforms

Analysis of new technology such as GPUs

Adding our in-house data format to open source and commercial codes

What will you need to be considered?

Ideally you will have a degree in a numerate discipline with a curious mind and can-do attitude.

We are looking for individuals who can work as a team in a collaborative manner to deliver technical solutions. We interface with numerous vendors ranging from processor manufacturers to very large system integrators.

We will always expect you to behave professionally and live our core company values.

We don't expect you to be an expert in high performance computing, but we expect you to demonstrate the hunger to learn and desire to succeed and we will be behind you all the way to make the most of your potential.

That said, previous experience of working in Unix/Linux environment and exposure to open source software would place you at an advantage.

We live and breathe technology and embrace change with open arms. If you are after similar challenges, we encourage you to put your name forward to have a conversation.

What will you get from us?

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including Bank Holidays).

9-day working fortnight - our employees have every other Friday off work.

Flexible working hours.

Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time.

Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training.

Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

A market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution).

Life Assurance.

Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending savings.

Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family.

A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site.

Important things you need to know:

Interviews will be 90 minutes in length and will be held over Microsoft Teams. You will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation in advance.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.

Agencies: Please note that we do not out-source our recruitment