Research Software Engineer

We are looking for two Research Software Engineers to join our newly founded Research Software Engineering function at the Center for Information Technology at the University of Helsinki. Both positions are fixed term until February 28th, 2028, with the employments starting in August 2025 or according to agreement.  

Research software engineers support research scientists in all aspects of research related to information technology. As a Research Software Engineer at the University of Helsinki, you will get to collaborate with different research groups providing software development and consultation to the groups according to their needs. In your role, you will also provide one-on-one support for the researchers at the University of Helsinki from the perspectives of software, programming, Linux, data and infrastructure. Depending on your own interests and organizational needs, your role could also include, for example, providing training to university staff and other research infrastructure support.

The appointees will be working closely with machine learning researchers and on scientific projects using AI, so a background in machine learning is highly desirable. In general, candidates should have a doctoral degree with research experience in a computational field and practical experience of scientific computing. However, we will also consider software developers with extensive practical knowledge and experience in AI and HPC from outside of academia.
 

What we expect from you

• Extensive knowledge of programming and software development
• Good communication and team working skills
• Self-directed and independent working style
• A good command of English
• A PhD degree with research experience in a computational field and practical experience in scientific computing is highly desirable. However, we will also consider software developers with extensive practical knowledge and experience in AI and HPC from outside of academia.

What we offer

• As a founding member of University of Helsinki's research software engineering team, you will have the opportunity to create a new research service and will, therefore, shape how we operate within the university.
• A way to be close to the research process while focusing on interesting computational problems and not the publication process.
• Open Source is our expectation. All (or most) of your code may be open source and may be added to your public CV, depending on the needs of researchers.
• Continual learning opportunities as part of our team  
• Broader annual leave entitlement (up to 7,5 weeks per year)
• Affordable and diverse Unisport sports services
• Mehiläinen occupational healthcare services
• Modern and cozy office spaces in the Viikki Infocenter and additional workspaces on other University campuses.  

Center for Information Technologies (or Tike like we call it) employees are specialists in various fields of information technology, and expertise is one of our core values. Together, we build modern digital services for university members. Developing skills and experimenting with new things are part of our work. Our work community is modern, and our way of working is collaborative and encouraging. We enable a smooth integration of work and private life with flexible working hours and remote work possibilities. You can take a closer look at what our working community looks like on our web page or on Instagram.

The salary for this position is 3800–4200 euros per month, depending on the expertise and experience of the selected candidate. You can also state your salary expectation in your application. A six-month probationary period will be applied.

How to apply

Submit your application through the University of Helsinki's electronic recruitment system by May 28th, 2025, at the latest via the Apply now -link. University employees, grant funded researchers, and visiting researchers log in through the employee login link. We will start studying the applications for these positions already during the application period.  

Fill in your personal information in the system, attach your CV, and a free-form cover letter (~1-2 pages).

The cover letter should include:

• Why you are interested in becoming a Research Software Engineer,
• Past research experience, if any
• Past technical teaching and/or mentoring experience,
• Past software development experience (even informal self-learning),
• Past Linux, command line, or scripting experience,
• Describe at least one collaborative project you have taken part in and your role within it,  
• what you bring and what you intend to learn.

A normal professional or academic CV including:

• A list of your technical and programming tools and level of proficiency (e.g., basic/proficient/expert).  
• Github link or other public sample code. If not available, whatever is possible to demonstrate past programming experience. Please highlight one or two of your outstanding research software projects.

Any inquiries related to the position should be directed to Senior Research Software Engineer Alan Medlar (alan.j.medlar(at)Helsinki.fi) and enquiries related to the technical operation of the application system should be directed to HR Specialist Rosa Beckmann hr-erla(at)helsinki.fi. The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.
 

Who we are

The University of Helsinki is among the world's best multidisciplinary research universities. The university has 11 faculties and additional independent institutes. Approximately 200 IT professionals work at the University of Helsinki's IT Center. Together we are responsible for developing and maintaining the university's international-level IT infrastructure and services to meet the needs of university teaching and top research.

The University of Helsinki is a strong influencer in Finland and globally. We tackle problems that affect each of us. We seek answers to climate change, food security, urbanization, Baltic Sea protection, and many other multidisciplinary questions. We want to share our expertise and make an impact for the benefit of the world – together.

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