About the High Performance Computing Group

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In high-performance computing (HPC), we aim at running software fast(er). To achieve this, we use parallel hardware such as multi-core processors or our supercomputer (HPC cluster). Moreover, the software must be parallelized to enable work distribution among all parallel hardware units. HPC is often used with large simulation codes such as software for weather forecasts that would take days to compute otherwise. In other words, HPC makes many tasks efficient or even possible in the first place! It takes place in large computing centers, but also on a small scale such as with so-called embedded processors.

As HPC group, we actively engage in research, service, and education. In HPC research, we look at current and diverse problems: from extensions to programming models and runtime systems, through energy efficiency, to analysis of the latest hardware architectures. As part of our HPC service, we help scientists to analyze, parallelize or optimize their simulation codes. Furthermore, we support young HPC professionals through our teaching and training activities at RWTH and at international events.

Location

"Golden whale" at Kopernikusstr. 6, Aachen

Language in Daily Work

German in bilateral meetings, English in team meetings

Supervisor or Instructor and MATSE

Sandra Wienke: I completed the MATSE apprenticeship myself many years ago and I am convinced of the concept.

Related Link

https://www.itc.rwth-aachen.de/hpc

Tasks of Our MATSE Apprentices

  • Working with and programming of (parallel) hardware, e.g., multi-core processors and the HPC cluster
  • Analysis, parallelization & optimization of simulation codes that scientists (would like to) run on the HPC cluster
  • Programming activities and data science as part of current research projects, e.g. funded by the German government, the EU or the German Research Foundation (DFG)
  • Analysis & benchmarking of current and future (=beta) hardware, e.g., latest Intel processors, graphics cards, and similar
  • Possibly, co-supervision of training activities of the HPC group

Typical Programming Languages in Use

C/C++, Python, Bash, Fortran

Maths in Practice

mainly numerics (especially needed for HPC simulation codes) and analytical models (performance modeling), possibly, statistics (for data analysis)

Number of MATSE Apprentices in Our Group

Three

Working Environment in The Apprenticeship

3-person office: Usually, one apprentice and two research assistants share an office.

What Else You Might Like With Us

  • After an initial training period, you will directly program on real projects
  • Possibilities to pursue your own (programming) interests as we have many different projects and, thus, we are quite flexible in organizing your participation
  • An international team
  • Possibly, contacts to hardware vendors or international committees
  • Working in a flexitime model with core working hours