Research Assistant

ETH SINGAPORE SEC LTD.

Early Applicant

Posted 6 days ago
Be among the first 10 applicants

1-4 Years

SGD 3,700 - 4,700 per month

Singapore

Job Description

Introduction

ETH Zurich is one of the leading universities of the world with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems.

The Singapore-ETH Centre is home to a community of doctoral, postdoctoral and professorial researchers working in three main programmes: Future Cities Laboratory, Future Resilient Systems, and Future Health Technologies. The centre provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment to researchers working on diverse themes, with the shared vision of translating research to practical solutions for more sustainable and liveable cities, resilient physical and social urban systems, and patient-centric healthcare systems.

Project background

The current era of artificial intelligence is predominantly driven by advances in computational power and infrastructure. As models scale to unprecedented sizes, their capabilities are enhanced through strategies such as reinforcement learning (RL) and innovative frameworks like the graph of thoughts. We are firmly in the Age of Computation, where breakthroughs in AI are synonymous with the ability to harness and optimize massive computational resources. However, this rapid growth in computational demands comes with a critical challenge: energy limitations. Around the globe, new power plants are being constructed to meet the demands of AI workloads, underscoring the urgent need for efficiency to ensure these advancements benefit humanity sustainably. Especially in Singapore, such resources may be scarce and hinder the ability of the country's researchers to advance in this most important field.

Our collaborative efforts with the A.STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) and other partners in Singapore, such as NTU, could be pivotal in this field, driving the development and implementation of innovative AI methods and saving millions of dollars in compute time while accelerating scientific productivity. To enhance the efficacy of AI for Science models, it is imperative to integrate simulations that encode prior scientific knowledge within these AI frameworks. This integration is aimed at creating new models imbued with robust prior knowledge, such as simulated behaviors defined by fundamental equations and conservation laws. Our approach involves the close collaboration of experts from A.STAR / IHPC, who bring extensive experience in high-performance computing and AI-driven scientific research. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve in scientific domains, ensuring that simulations and AI methodologies are combined to produce highly accurate and reliable models.

Job description

The Research Assistant will be embedded into a team of researchers that is working on improving the DaCe toolchain, with the goal of making it possible to apply DaCe to HPC codes used by Singaporean stakeholders. One such codebase we want to focus on is QuantumEspresso (QE).

Some key components in the work are:

Collecting different scientific use-cases of the QE code-base, understanding how to interpret QE's output.
Performance analysis of QE on different HPC systems and for different use-cases
Improving the FOTRAN frontend of DaCe, with the goal to ingest the QE codebase and compile it into a DaCe SDFG.
Extending DaCe with transformations that optimize the QE SDFG for CPU and GPU architectures.
Utilizing Automatic Differentiation features within DaCe to replace compute-intensive functions within QE with trained models.
Preparing key insights from the work performed for submission as scientific papers
Co-supervision of BSc students.

Requirements

Minimum of bachelor's degree in computer science or relevant field.
Successful candidates have a strong background in computer science, parallel computing, compilers, performance optimization, and high-performance computer systems. Excellent knowledge of Python and C++ are required, knowledge of FORTRAN is an advantage.
Some familiarity with DaCe is an advantage, ideally a candidate has already used DaCe to some degree and is familiar with the DaCe development model and the team behind it. Similarly, knowledge of QuantumEspresso and some of its use-cases are a big advantage.
Since this role requires liaison with stakeholders at Zurich as the development of DaCe is mostly happening in Zurich, and most QuantumEspresso users are physically in Singapore, the candidate should have excellent communication skills and be able to bridge the gap in timezones between teams.
The candidate should be able to work independently and at the same time proactively communicate with both teams. Candidate with remote working experience is preferred.
Applicants need to be proficient in written and spoken English.

Why SEC is your employer of choice

Adopted 5 Tripartite Standards by Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Singapore.
A diverse workplace with 32 nationalities, offering ample opportunities for mutual learning.
Positive and inclusive working environment.
25 days of annual leave for fixed-term contracts.
1 day of Birthday Leave.
Annual dental benefits.
Committed to being a supportive employer as you prioritize your physical and mental wellness.
Comprehensive healthcare insurance coverage.
Flexible hybrid work arrangement (up to 2 days per week from home).
Abundant networking opportunities across various disciplines.
Accredited with NS mark certification.

The Singapore-ETH Centre is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. All candidates will be evaluated on their merits and qualifications, without regards to gender, race, age or religion.