Job opening: software developer COSMO-RS and other thermodynamic property models

SCM is a growing and profitable scientific software company in Amsterdam, developing and marketing software in computational quantum chemistry and materials science for over 25 years. We have grown quite rapidly to around 20 developers over the last few years. To enhance our COSMO-RS and thermodynamic property modules, we are looking to hire (with intention of permanent employment) a scientific software developer with thermodynamics expertise.

Job description

Together with our current team of developers, you will work on extending and improving the functionality and user-friendliness of the COSMO-RS, COSMO-SAC, group contribution, and graph-based property predictions in the Amsterdam Modeling Suite.  You will also work on expanding the suite of available thermodynamic tools, adding functionality for UNIFAC models, SAFT-based methods, and EoS methods.  You will implement methods published in the literature, but also develop your own solutions to yet unsolved problems. The core of our software is written in (modern) Fortran, but we have a growing body of Python source code around it. You will work on the full stack of technologies, so experience with both compiled and scripting languages (as well as their mutual interoperability) is required.  Additional experience with GUI development or mathematical optimization techniques would be beneficial for this position but is not required. 

The Amsterdam Modeling Suite is developed in close collaboration with developers all around the world. You will be in contact with developers, provide technical support, discuss new and improved functionality, and help them integrate their work into the main version of AMS.

The scientific basis of our software is always developing and the position will require you to keep up to date with the latest developments, and judge how promising new methods from the academic world are. To this end you may attend relevant scientific conferences. In this function you may also spend a considerable amount of time providing advanced scientific support and consulting to (potential) end users.

Which projects may you take on?

  • Implementing additional thermodynamic methods such as EoS methods or SAFT-based methods
  • Reparametrizing/redesigning existing methods for higher suitability in certain chemical domains
  • Developing improved high-throughput screening functionality
  • Developing interfaces to other chemical engineering softwares (e.g., using the CAPE-OPEN standards)
  • Building large validation libraries and benchmarking methods against each other
  • Developing QSPR or ML models for prediction of thermodynamic properties or inputs/parameters for thermodynamic models
  • Designing and developing a new GUI enabling end users to more easily set up workflows and customize calculations
  • Technical sales and consulting projects to demonstrate ROI for end users (e.g. pKa prediction, liquid-liquid extraction solvent design, co-crystal screening, stable paint or ink formulation)

Job requirements

  • MSc or PhD in theoretical physics, chemical engineering or a related study, with thermodynamics expertise and excellent mathematical skills
  • A strong background in thermodynamic modeling, with experience working with at least one of the following: UNIFAC, COSMO-RS/-SAC, or SAFT
  • Proven hands-on experience working collaboratively in large codebases using standard software development tools such as version control, debuggers, profilers, etc.
  • Experience with compiled languages (modern Fortran, C++, C) as well as Python scripting
  • A passion for clean, reusable and modular code
  • A strong scientific interest in general and for helping researchers in current fields in particular

Desirable knowledge and experience

  • Experience with GUI development in Python/Qt
  • Knowledge of mathematical optimization techniques
  • Experience with advanced workflows in python and multi-objective optimization
  • Deep domain knowledge in thermodynamics relevant to the areas of batteries, pharma, agritech, and polymers
  • Machine learning / advanced data science experience

We will primarily consider experienced applicants with a relevant PhD but may also consider candidates who are finishing their MSc studies soon, in case of suitable background and talents.

What we offer

  • This position will initially be for one year but is intended to be extended and become permanent.
  • The position is available immediately but there is flexibility concerning the starting date.
  • Competitive salary related to experience, bonus, as well as relocation costs and secondary benefits (including ABP pension fund)
  • 34 holidays per year on top of national holidays.
  • Flexible working hours and the ability to occasionally work remotely.
  • This is a full-time (preferred) or part-time (at least 0.7 FTE) position based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Tax benefits (30% of salary tax-free) are often applicable in The Netherlands (depending on circumstances) for a successful candidate from abroad.

The working environment at SCM

SCM is a science-focused company which has been around for more than 25 years. The friendly working atmosphere at SCM is that of an informal small team of PhD-level researchers and scientific software developers doing intellectually challenging work. This environment provides much freedom and responsibility for shaping your own work. Originating as a spin-off company of the VU University, Amsterdam, SCM has its office space on the VU campus, at walking distance from the Amsterdam-Zuid train station. We also extensively collaborate with a growing number of academic groups and household-name industrial partners worldwide.

Thanks to its high quality of living and dynamism, Amsterdam has been elected as best European tech city and 4th most dynamic European city to work in, “best city for Millennials to live”, it consistently ranks high in Mercer’s annual Quality of Living surveys (11th best in the world, in 2019), and voted runner up in the best city survey by Time Out in 2021. The Netherlands is also number one on the English proficiency list of 100 countries.

Further information, applying

Detailed information on SCM and its software can be found at https://www.scm.com/

Those interested in this position are encouraged to contact us at jobcosmors@scm.com for further information. Job applications can be sent by email to the same address until 30 September, 2021 (preferably sooner) or until the position has been filled. Applications should contain a CV, a cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and, if applicable, a list of software / ML projects worked on (with own contribution specified). References and source code may be requested at a later stage. The accompanying email should briefly stress already a few key reasons why you might be the most suitable person for the position.

Key concepts