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.

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AaltoSciComp/aaltoscicomp-graphics/master/figures/rse-alignment.png

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.

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AaltoSciComp/aaltoscicomp-graphics/master/figures/support-levels.png

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.

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.

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