Software Research & Development Engineer

Join Our Dynamic Engineering Team

The Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC) serves as a vital national research infrastructure within the ETH domain, collaborating with renowned partners like EPFL and ETH Zurich. Our mission encompasses guiding academic institutions, hospitals, industries, and public sector entities through the complexities of data science, artificial intelligence, and the entire data lifecycle. With a dedicated multidisciplinary team spanning locations in Lausanne, Zurich, and Villigen, we deliver expertise in various crucial domains including health, sustainability, and large-scale scientific infrastructures.

Project Overview

At the SDSC, we are seeking a talented individual to become part of our project-focused engineering team in Zürich. This innovative team works on converting research insights into robust, production-ready data science infrastructures. Our approach involves preemptively exploring and validating solutions that will eventually become sustainable services.

Your role will lie at the intersection of research and engineering. You will be responsible for transforming conceptual prototypes and nascent ideas into practical systems capable of real-world application. This transformation includes adhering to FAIR principles while ensuring practicality, scalability, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to projects via two distinct yet interconnected methodologies: early-phase exploration and mature MVP development.
• Engage in prototyping and solution space shaping, making informed technical choices to drive project direction.
• Develop operational, reusable components that support the transition of projects into production environments.
• Collaborate with engineers to construct end-to-end solutions, primarily focusing on backend, data, and infrastructure components.
• Ensure continuity beyond projects by working with internal platform teams to make successful MVPs maintainable and operational.
• Co-design solutions with users and domain experts, iterating through collaborative workshops.
• Adhere to established engineering best practices prioritizing reproducibility, maintainability, interoperability, and readiness for production.

Ideal Profile

• We welcome candidates with varying levels of experience; what matters most is a collaborative mindset and problem-solving approach.
• A passion for creating practical, reliable systems and a comfort in navigating ambiguity are essential.
• A commitment to quality and security align with best practices in system design.
• A background in software engineering, data engineering, or a related field, coupled with an interest in data-intensive systems, is desired.
• A foundational education in computer science or a related field, ideally developed through a Master's or higher degree (e.g., PhD), or equivalent professional experience.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills are necessary for bridging gaps between research, engineering, and operational teams.
• Familiarity with modern practices in software and data engineering—such as version control, APIs, and reproducible workflows—is beneficial.
• An understanding of data modeling or semantic interoperability would be an advantage, though not required.
• A genuine eagerness to learn and adapt to new technologies is highly valued.

Work Environment

The SDSC offers an inspiring and inclusive work environment within a leading research institution, emphasizing collaboration and multidisciplinary engagement.

What We Provide

• A dynamic, interdisciplinary work setting in a prestigious research organization.
• Flexible working arrangements tailored to promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Challenging projects that enable continued learning and professional growth.
• An opportunity to harness your skills to make meaningful contributions to research communities and society at large.
• A culture that encourages creativity through experimentation and the exploration of new technologies.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich fosters an inclusive environment, supporting equality of opportunity and diverse perspectives. We are committed to creating a workplace where every individual’s rights and dignity are respected, with sustainability as a core value in our pursuit of a climate-neutral future.

Curious to Learn More?

We invite you to explore further details on our initiatives and impact at the Swiss Data Science Center. We look forward to engaging with individuals eager to contribute to our mission and advance data science and artificial intelligence for the betterment of society.