Data Visualisation Developer

Overview of Responsibilities

We are seeking applicants with an interest and aptitude for delivering state-of-the-art visualisation methods and tools for analysing complex scientific or engineering data. We expect applicants to have a background in science, computer-science, or engineering, ideally with an emphasis upon High Performance Computing (HPC), having worked upon large-scale, remote systems and with Big Data.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that they have an artistic leaning, an interest in presenting data in visually novel and insightful ways and a passion for learning and development to further develop their skills. We are particularly interested in those applicants who have a background or interest in high fidelity visualisation or photorealism to draw insights from complex data.

Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have developed software / solutions spanning some fraction of the visualisation software stack (from underlying algorithms through to GUIs). This can be via academic research / training (e.g., MSc. or PhD. research in visualisation) or from experience in academic scientific research or from industry. Successful applicants will have a passion for, and demonstrable experience of having helped take visualisation solutions through from concept to production and a keen interest in working with stakeholders from requirements capture through to service delivery.

The role will carry with it a significant level of autonomy, allowing the successful candidate to be creative and grow this area. Applicants with an extensive network and/or interest in growing collaborations are particularly encouraged.

The role involves spanning one (or more) of the following areas:

• Exascale targeted data visualisation for HPC, especially around in-situ methods (e.g., Kitware Catalyst).
• Photo-realism or high-fidelity visualisation, e.g., exploiting ray tracing tools such as Nvidia (OptiX, IndeX) or Intel (Embree, OSPRay) – including hardware systems co-design.
• Human-machine interface – e.g., development of solutions around Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Simulated Reality (SR) or GUI / interface development (e.g., programming the Paraview stack / VTK, QT, OpenXR etc.). Knowledge of high-performance remote display protocols such as NICE DCV is highly desirable due to the volume of data being generated across fusion science and engineering.
• Real-time data visualisation / edge computing (where visualisation and I/O systems co-design is key). A deep understanding of cloud systems incl. OpenStack is highly desirable.

Successful applicants will be expected to have demonstrable advanced skills in software engineering, esp. around scripting and languages such as C/C++ and python. We would expect applicants to focus upon one of back- or front-end development but with an ability and interest to work across the software stack when necessary.

A key requirement for the role is that the applicant possess the ability to work effectively within a rapidly growing, diverse team. The successful candidate will have a passion for nurturing science and technological excellence. If you have a background in advanced visualisation, a creative problem-solving mind, knowledge of modern software engineering processes and best practice and are excited about helping to solve one of the world’s most pressing grand challenges (to deliver UK Net Zero by 2050), then we are keen to hear from you!

What will you be responsible for?

Key areas of responsibility will include:

• Developing advanced visualisation tools from back-end to front-end, through a process of co-design and regular engagement with stakeholders/users.
• Collaborating with pioneers in the use of advanced, big-data visualisation for scientific discovery of engineering design, e.g., with Kitware, or with Nvidia (around Omniverse and transition to the Metaverse era of collaboration).
• Providing user support and assisting in the production of training materials so that visualisation tools are suitable for long-term use and receive the widest possible adoption across UKAEA and its growing academic and industrial partnerships.
• Acting as an “authority” or point of contact for all matters surrounding advanced visualisation at UKAEA.
  Remaining current in scientific and technical software engineering and around advances in visualisation technologies (e.g., AR, SR), promoting best practice both internally and among external partners.
• Represent the UK at International Conferences/workshops, presenting one’s own work or that of team members.
• Writing and publishing high quality research in internationally recognised peer reviewed journals or popular articles for industry journals such as HPCWire.
• Helping to promote a healthy working environment and team-focused work ethic, centred upon continuous improvement and a core ethos of inclusivity and diversity.

Please note: We may consider the post being based at alternative locations to CCFE, provided those locations are part of UKAEA’s growing network of collaborations (e.g., Daresbury Laboratory).

Please note that this role is split over two levels and the Level 4 offers a salary of £36,397 – £38,620 (inclusive of MPP) and the Level 5 offers a salary of £49,396 – £52,293 (inclusive of MPP). Your level will be assessed as part of the interview process.

Qualifications
Essential skills, experience and competence required

• At least a Master’s degree in a computational, mathematical or physical science discipline or equivalent experience.
• Background/interest in the power of advanced visualisation for drawing inferences from big data or for the engineering design of complex systems.
• Programming skills in C/C++ and python and associated scripting languages.
• Knowledge of modern software engineering processes and best practice, e.g., testing frameworks, Git etc.
• Familiarity with libraries and tools typically used across science and engineering for advanced visualisation, e.g., Paraview + Kitware stack (e.g., VTK toolkit) / VisIt (LLNL), QT, Nvidia IndeX etc.
• Good experience of the UNIX operating system, particularly the command line interface.

Desirable skills, experience, and competence

• A background in plasma physics or fluid dynamics coupled to an interest in advanced visualisation.
• Engineering: experience using ANSYS or similar finite element packages, CAD packages and meshing software and understanding of current deficiencies around our ability to visualise complex assemblies.
• A PhD. in advanced visualisation or in computational physics, numerical analysis or extreme scale computing would be desirable.
• A background of having helped to improve processes or operational efficiency through the development and application of state-of-the-art visualisation tools in the animation sector, in Formula 1, or in science or engineering more generally.
• Skills around post-production / animation incl. tools such as Maya, Blender and 3DSMax.

Additional Information
What we offer

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 08/08/2022 . We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants . If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.