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Software engineer/scientific programmer for the Astronomical Multipurpose Software Environment
Job Summary
Category
Science Engineering
Institution
Leiden Observatory / Leiden University
Number of Positions Available
1
Duration
3 Years
Work Arrangement
In-Person
In-Person Location(s)
Leiden
Netherlands
Job Description
Leiden Observatory seeks a Software Engineer to join the AMUSE development team. You will collaborate with astronomers to further develop AMUSE, a Python-based simulation and modeling package for astrophysics. Responsibilities include engaging with scientists, implementing algorithms, developing interface modules, maintaining and refactoring code, addressing tickets, analyzing performance, documenting, validating results, and supporting users. You’ll participate in technical discussions, code reviews, and may assist in teaching.
Key duties involve expanding AMUSE’s functionality, improving project stability, and helping maintain core infrastructure packages that benefit the broader community. You will lead and contribute to software efforts, interact with users and developers via GitHub and Slack.
Opportunities for skill development include mentorship, tutorials, and support for attending external training. You will be part of the AMUSE community.
Qualifications:
B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or related field.
At least 2 years of research software development experience (including academic or research-oriented industry contexts).
Experience with the scientific Python ecosystem (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, etc.).
Familiarity with collaborative version control (Git), coding standards, code review, documentation, and supporting user communities.
Experience with project management.
Technical and scientific curiosity with a collaborative attitude.
Desired:
Proficiency in compiled languages (C, C++, Fortran, CUDA, etc.).
Experience in the scientific/astronomical ecosystem, including CI systems (e.g., GitHub Actions), software testing (pytest), and documentation tools.
Experience with HPC, GPU, code profiling, and optimization.
Working knowledge of applied mathematics, numerical methods, astronomy, and physics.
Where:
Leiden Observatory is the largest university astronomy department in the Netherlands, with about 35 faculty and adjunct faculty, 40 postdoctoral researchers, 30 support staff, 70 PhD students. Leiden itself, is a charming university town with international flair with easy connections to other European countries.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation Type
Salary
Currency
365
Compensation Range
$3,378USD to $5,331USD
Included Benefits
The contract will be temporary for 36 months, starting with one year
and extendable for another 24 months based on performance.
Salary depends on career stage of the candidate. The gross salary
ranges from 3.378 Euro per month in the first year to 5.331Euro gross
per month based on a full-time position (pay scale 10 according to
VSNU); but the details may depend on the financial situation at the
Observatory and with the NOVA funding. Compensation and Benefits are
according to the VSNU: standard in the Netherlands.
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package including
pension build-up, paid parental leave and additional holiday (8%) and
end-of-year bonuses (8.3%). Our individual choices model gives you
some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and
conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible
for a substantial tax break. For more information, see our
website: Working at Leiden University, Application process and working
conditions
Application Details
Application Instructions
Please submit your application to:
prof dr. S. Portegies Zwart
[email protected]
A successful application should include a
1. Curriculum vitae
2. Motivation letter including a vision on software
3. The names of 3 references
4. A link to a personal git page or another repository with the candidates' software from an earlier project, or a self-written direct Newtonian gravitational N-body code in any language.
prof dr. S. Portegies Zwart
[email protected]
A successful application should include a
1. Curriculum vitae
2. Motivation letter including a vision on software
3. The names of 3 references
4. A link to a personal git page or another repository with the candidates' software from an earlier project, or a self-written direct Newtonian gravitational N-body code in any language.
Publication Start Date
2025 May 28
Application Deadline
2025 Jul 01