Large Language Models expert (AI/ML expert) - Research Engineer (RE1)

Job Reference

191_25_LS_CB_RE1

Position

Large Language Models expert (AI/ML expert) - Research Engineer (RE1)

Data de tancament

Divendres, 07 Març, 2025
Reference: 191_25_LS_CB_RE1
Job title: Large Language Models expert (AI/ML expert) - Research Engineer (RE1)

About BSC

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) is the leading supercomputing center in Spain. It houses MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, was a founding and hosting member of the former European HPC infrastructure PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), and is now hosting entity for EuroHPC JU, the Joint Undertaking that leads large-scale investments and HPC provision in Europe. The mission of BSC is to research, develop and manage information technologies in order to facilitate scientific progress. BSC combines HPC service provision and R&D into both computer and computational science (life, earth and engineering sciences) under one roof, and currently has over 1000 staff from 60 countries.

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We are particularly interested for this role in the strengths and lived experiences of women and underrepresented groups to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights in science and IT research. In instances of equal merit, the incorporation of the under-represented sex will be favoured.

We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, fostering an environment where each and every one of us is appreciated for who we are, regardless of our differences.

If you consider that you do not meet all the requirements, we encourage you to continue applying for the job offer. We value diversity of experiences and skills, and you could bring unique perspectives to our team.

Context And Mission

The Computational Biology group, led by ICREA professor Alfonso Valencia, is looking for a research engineer to work in the field of protein design using Large Language Models (LLMs). The project will involve implementing and maintaining software (AI/ML pipelines) to design and characterize proteins of interest with desired functional properties using an High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster, such as MareNostrum 5.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic research group within the Life Sciences department, which integrates independent senior scientists that work on various aspects of computational biology, ranging from bioinformatics for genomics and proteomics to computational biochemistry and text mining. The Researcher will work in a highly sophisticated HPC environment, will have access to systems and computational infrastructures, and will establish collaborations with experts in different areas.

Key Duties

  • Collaborate with senior researchers to implement AI/ML pipelines for protein design in the context of an European Project.
  • Assist in data collection, curation and analysis activities.
  • Collaborate with team members on research publications and presentations.
  • Participate in internal group meetings and other scientific discussions.
  • Lead subprojects and take ownership of designing and implementing advanced AI/ML pipelines for complex protein design tasks.
  • Oversee the development and maintenance of scalable, reusable code libraries.

Requirements

  • Education
    • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, bioinformatics, engineering, mathematics or related).
  • Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
    • Strong understanding of machine learning and AI concepts.
    • Previous experience with LLMs/transformers.
    • Previous experience with HPC.
    • Strong programming skills in languages such as Python (numpy, pandas, scipy/scikit-learn, pytorch, tensorflow, keras, matplotlib, seaborn).
    • Knowledge of UNIX/Linux.
    • Previous experience with generative AI models (e.g., GANs, VAEs) and reinforcement learning applications in protein design.
  • Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
    • Prior research experience in bioinformatics or computational biology.
    • Familiarity with protein structure prediction and analysis tools.
    • Fluency in spoken and written English.
  • Competences
    • Good communication and presentation skills.
    • Ability to work both independently and within a team.
    • Interest in protein science and bioinformatics.
    • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
    • Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

Conditions

  • The position will be located at BSC within the Life Sciences Department
  • We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week), a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, support to the relocation procedures
  • Duration: Open-ended contract due to technical and scientific activities linked to the project and budget duration
  • Holidays: 23 paid vacation days plus 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
  • Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
  • Starting date: 01/03/2025

Applications procedure and process

All applications must be submitted via the BSC website and contain:

  • A full CV in English, including contact details.
  • A cover/motivation letter with a statement of interest in English, clearly specifying for which specific area and topics the applicant wishes to be considered. Additionally, two references for further contacts must be included. Applications without this document will not be considered.


Development of the recruitment process

The selection will be carried out through a competitive examination system ("Concurso-Oposición"). The recruitment process consists of two phases:

  1. Curriculum Analysis: Evaluation of previous experience and/or scientific history, degree, training, and other professional information relevant to the position. - 40 points
  2. Interview phase: The highest-rated candidates at the curriculum level will be invited to the interview phase, conducted by the corresponding department and Human Resources. In this phase, technical competencies, knowledge, skills, and professional experience related to the position, as well as the required personal competencies, will be evaluated. - 60 points. A minimum of 30 points out of 60 must be obtained to be eligible for the position.

The recruitment panel will be composed of at least three people, ensuring at least 25% representation of women.

In accordance with OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for each vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will begin the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. At a minimum, a personality questionnaire as well as a technical exercise will be conducted during the process.

The panel will make a final decision, and all individuals who participated in the interview phase will receive feedback with details on the acceptance or rejection of their profile.


At BSC, we seek continuous improvement in our recruitment processes. For any suggestions or comments/complaints about our recruitment processes, please contact recruitment [at] bsc [dot] es.

For more information, please follow this link.


Deadline

The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate has been hired. Applications will be regularly reviewed and potential candidates will be contacted.

OTM-R principles for selection processes

BSC-CNS is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment principles (OTM-R). This is applied for any potential candidate in all our processes, for example by creating gender-balanced recruitment panels and recognizing career breaks etc.
BSC-CNS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable state or local law.
For more information follow this link

Application Form

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Please, upload your CV document using the following name structure: Name_Surname_CV
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Please, upload your CV document using the following name structure: Name_Surname_CoverLetter
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** Consider that the information provided in relation to gender and nationality will be used solely for statistical purposes.