For units who would like Research Software Engineers
Computing is everywhere, even in your unit. But computing is hard, so much that can go wrong: bugs take time to fix, data gets messy and can’t be used, code can’t be used by others. Everyone needs computing and data, but not everyone can or should be a computer scientist.
There is a better way. Scientific computing must be a team effort in the future (just like physical laboratories have their own specialists).
Three slide introduction (internal users only).
What are Research Software Engineers (RSE)?
In Aalto RSE’s vision, they are the co-researcher you need for your projects. We are part of technical services, and we focus on all your computational challenges, streamlining your research.
Research: with research background, supporting research (not IT specialists).
Software: programming, workflows, data (not only “software”)
Engineer: structural integrity, quality (not focused on publications) - the engineer compared to your architects.
RSEs are not normal ITs staff or “HPC specialists” - these support IT or HPC infrastructure. RSE support research across all of these tools. Check the sample portfolio.
Aalto Research Software Engineers are part of Science-IT, a U-level infrastructure and virtual team.
This exists in SCI since 2020 and can exist for you, too.
One way of looking at the types of projects a RSE can do. Note we do anything from providing advice to speed up other projects to doing projects ourselves, where an academic can’t. |
We work on anything from basic problems to advanced research collaboration. |
Real benefits
During the work we have seen many real benefits.
Statistics show that when the RSE spends X time, the academic’s time saved is 5X.
Solve daily computing/data problems
Take on long-term development out of scope for academic staff
Code is more reusable - take long term value
Research is faster
Keeping data organized
Port code and manage workflows on supercomputers (use existing infra better)
Finalizing projects and making nice interfaces for societal impact.
Manage automation and workflows: reach a larger scale.
Assist in planning for research ethics evaluations and data management.
Proposal: join us and we expand Science-IT
It’s time to consider the benefits wider at Aalto. Science-IT is a virtual team and your unit can easily join.
Current state: ITS provides funding for SCI-RSE to do small projects outside of SCI. We are reaching the limit of our stability, and other units need specialists in their research.
You can hire an approprate RSE within your unit.
They work as part of the Science-IT virtual team.
SCI-RSE helps with start-up:
SCI-RSE can help hiring and onboarding
SCI-RSE can mentor in software/data/SciComp skills
SCI-RSE can help connect to the right kind of projects
We work as a team
In 2025-2026, we have the possibility of development project co-funding for a 2-3 year startup.
School of Science practices
At the School of Science our arrangement is:
Have hired at the school level as Technical Services
Full time and permanent
Job title “Research Engineer”, business title “Research Software Engineer”.
Service staff with regular working hours.
Funded from school and department budgets. Research projects also directly contribute funding via Halli for their share of the work, reducing the school share.
Some flagships projects fund some RSE staff 100% and they are dedicated for that project.
Details
You’d decide how to best manage hiring: internal reallocation or new hires. With negotiation, SCI might be able to do the hires for other units.
RSE work rotations - ASC blog explains how we can start off with the schools working together.
What is a RSE - ASC blog goes into detail about how a RSE fits in with existing academic staff.
How to get in touch
If the above sounds like something that would benefit your unit, Aalto RSE is ready to help you (2024). About RSE, get in touch with Richard Darst or rse@aalto.fi. About Science-IT, get in touch with Mikko Hakala.
Current member units
See Unit information