Institution

ALBA is the Spanish synchrotron light source, a large research infrastructure operating thirteen beamlines, complementary facilities, and an Electron Microscopy Center, this last in partnership with other institutions. Currently constructing multiple more beamlines, expanding the Electron Microscopy Center, and integrating advanced data analytics, it sums up a wide range of infrastructures geared toward finding solutions to societal challenges.

Located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), it is funded by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Recerca i Universitats). The synchrotron light produced by 3 GeV electrons is used by thousands of researchers to analyse and understand the properties and functionality of matter, spanning a wide variety of fields, such as catalytic research, health, energy production/storage, environmental research, communication technologies, or cultural heritage.

Our highly motivated staff works in a multidisciplinary work environment with an atmosphere formed by lived diversity, inclusion and respect for our colleagues. One of the goals of our gender equality plan is to reach parity within the Consortium’s different divisions and offices, and several actions have been taken to encourage applications from women mostly in scientific, engineer and technical job positions.

Located close to Barcelona in a natural park and well connected by car and public transportation, with excellent connectivity to the world and an employer who understands the importance of life-work balance.

Facing an upgrade to ALBA II, a 4th generation facility, which will increase dramatically brightness and coherent flux, ALBA is in a phase of growth and dynamics. Being a part of the ALBA team will promote your career and will give you the opportunities to explore new territories.

For more information, you can take a look on our history watching this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHMqiH4qBAo

Tasks

Responsibilities The Scientific Data Management (SDM) section supports the facility’s scientific data processing and management needs, ensures data compliance for future implementations, and aligns activities with current data policy and FAIR principles. SDM collaborates closely with other Computing Division groups responsible for beamline control, data acquisition, databases, and IT systems infrastructure. The section primarily supports the Experiments Division, while also providing occasional assistance to other divisions in the following areas:

- Scientific data processing/analysis software
- Data pipelines development and optimization
- Data formats, data analysis, data reduction after experiment acquisition
- Post-processing visualization tools and workflow engines
- Data governance

We are offering two positions with complementary areas of focus: Scientific Software Engineer: Responsible for developing data processing, analysis, and visualization software for imaging beamlines. This role involves close collaboration with scientists and Computing Division colleagues to ensure reliable processing, storage, and delivery of experimental data and metadata.

Data Management and Infrastructure Engineer: Responsible for developing, integrating, and maintaining scientific data services, including the data catalogue, associated databases, and the VISA data-analysis platform across all beamlines.

Responsibilities include incident resolution,



user support for data access and processing, coordination with other sections, and contributions to data standards, including ALBA’s participation on the NeXus committee.

Both positions will undertake the following functions, with different emphases according to their respective profiles:

Ÿ Develop scientific data processing and analysis software, applying automated testing, packaging, continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), configuration management, logging and monitoring.

Ÿ Develop and optimize data pipelines for High Performance Computing (HPC), integrating them with data-analysis platforms and supporting services.

Ÿ Perform data formatting, analysis and reduction following experimental data acquisition, including instrument-specific data reduction and compression.

Ÿ Develop post-processing visualization tools and workflow engines to support scientific analysis.

Ÿ Ensure the integration of data and metadata into the ALBA data catalogue using the required ontologies, in accordance with FAIR principles, including the development and maintenance of supporting data-management software and services.

Ÿ Perform any other duties consistent with the position’s category, responsibilities, professional level, and functional scope, as reasonably assigned by Management to ensure proper operation.

The two positions require fluent English speaking and writing. We will consider candidates with a basic level of English, provided they engage with the language support provided by the consortium to reach full proficiency.

Requirements The requirements for participation must be met on the date of the deadline for the submission of applications and will be accredited by means of the CV attached to it, without prejudice to the power of the selection body to require the contribution of the originals of the certifications accrediting the qualifications, training and work experience invoked in the CV.

Applications that do not present the aforementioned or required documentation during the selection procedure will not be accepted.

Formal Education

- University degree in Computer Science. Final-year Computer Science students (with at least 180 ECTS completed) will be accepted and must attach their academic transcript. of Records (ToR).

Mandatory Skills

- Full proficiency in any of the following programming languages is required: Python, C, C++, Rust, or Java. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Python is preferred.
- One year of experience in developing and/or deploying data processing or data management systems.

Selection Process Development The selection will be carried out through the competition-opposition system. As a first phase, an analysis of the curriculum will be carried out (assessment of previous experience and / or scientific history, degree, training and other professional information relevant to the position). Career breaks or variations in the chronological order of CVs will be regarded as an evolution of a career, and consequently, as a contribution to the professional development.

The Assessment Of The CV In The Competition Phase Will Be Scored Up To 40 Points,



Which Will Consider The Following Aspects

Ÿ Computer Science studies and programming experience (5 points)

Ÿ

Experience Covering The Following Assets (total 15 Points)

Ÿ Development or deployment of scientific data related software for research infrastructures. (up to 5 points for 3 years)

Ÿ High Performance Computing (HPC) and/or GPU programming. (up to 5 points for 3 years)

Ÿ AI/ machine learning or data governance for synchrotron facilities (up to 5 points for 3 years)

Ÿ Evaluation of personal contribution in a relevant software development (up to 20 points for Python-based project, up to 15 points for any other OOP language). The candidate must attach a brief description and, optionally, a link to source code repositories in the Publications field. For example

- Final Degree project
- Open-source projects
- Specific Professional Development
- Personal project

The best rated candidates, at least two if possible, will be invited to an interview where the technical competence, knowledge, skills and professional experience linked to the position will be assessed, with a total score of 60 points. A minimum of 30 points must be obtained out of a total of 60 points to be eligible. Provided they meet the minimum requirements and have ranked among the top five after the assessment of the CV phase, at least one person from the underrepresented gender in the division/office will be interviewed.

The Interview Will Include At Least

- Assessment of advanced proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Python, C, C++, Rust, or Java. With particular preference for Object-Oriented Programming in Python. (30p)
- Presentation of professional experience (10p)
- Auto-assessment of soft skills (10p)
- Motivation for applying (10p)

The merits will be accredited by means of the CV attached to the application. The selection board may require accreditation by additional documentation, originals or certified copies confirming the experience invoked in the CV. In case of a tied final score, the position will be awarded to the person who belongs to the most underrepresented gender in the corresponding Division and subsidiarily to the overall company.

If necessary, alternates of the members of the selection board will be appointed by the president of the selection process, and the change will be published in the announcement.

The resolution of the selection procedure will be carried out within a maximum period of six months from the deadline for submitting applications for participation.

The selection process may be declared vacant if the selection board considers not to have found eligible candidates for the position although they might meet the requirements to participate in the selection process specified in the offer.

Other Information

Permanent contract.

Base salary range €34,500 – €43,000 gross per year.

The base salary offered will be determined according to the selected candidate's qualifications, relevant professional experience, competencies and overall suitability for the position.

Additional remuneration: annual productivity bonus (approximately 4% of the base salary), subject to the applicable internal policy and performance evaluation.

ALBA also offers an attractive employment conditions, including adaptable working arrangements and professional development opportunities.

The Selection Board is composed by the following members: Alessandra Patera, Nicolas Soler, Oscar Matilla.

📌 2 Scientific Data Engineers (Sardañola del Vallés)
🏢 ALBA Synchrotron
📍 Sardañola del Vallés