"There is so much energy, competence and passion here"

Whether you are fascinated by computer technology and IT networks, enjoy researching and developing innovative technologies, or want to drive research projects forward, you will find many exciting opportunities at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre.

It is an IT service provider for Bavarian universities, one of three supercomputing centres in Germany and soon to be the European location for a hybrid high-performance quantum computing system: The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching, north of Munich, is not only home to cutting-edge and powerful computer technology, it also offers exciting jobs for IT specialists and administrators, students and graduates from other disciplines, and experienced professionals in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics and administration. "We train IT experts, give university graduates, career changers and returnees a chance to join us, and offer them the opportunity to learn on the job and in practice, and to further their education.," says Sabine Osorio, Head of Human Resources at the LRZ, describing the opportunities. Diversity, openness and curiosity for research and the latest IT technology are in high demand at the LRZ. With flexible working hours and the option of working from home, employees can tailor their working day to suit their personal needs. Job seekers can get to know the LRZ in person at many (international) conferences and trade fairs this year - to start with an interview about the corporate culture, possible perspectives and meaningful tasks.

What makes the LRZ special as an employer? Sabine Osorio: The LRZ offers people from many different professions the opportunity to join one of the most innovative institutes in Bavaria, if not in Germany, and to contribute their ideas. The LRZ is primarily a service provider for universities and research institutions and supports students and scientists in Bavaria and Europe in their work with IT technologies an It infrastructures, including supercomputers. This results in a wide variety of meaningful tasks. On a personal level, the LRZ offers a friendly environment with curious and friendly colleagues with whom you can work well, get along and celebrate.

IT experts are in great demand: Is the LRZ also affected by the skills shortage? How - and what are you doing about it? Osorio: Yes, of course we are aware of the rush for talent, researchers and specialists in the fields of IT, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence; fresh ideas, experience and knowledge are in demand everywhere. What are we doing to address the shortage of skilled professionals? We train IT professionals, give graduates, career changers and returnees a chance to join us, and provide on-the-job, hands-on learning and skills development.

What does the LRZ offer young scientists? Osorio: A tried-and-tested all-round package, you could say: As student assistants at the LRZ service desk, in the technical departments, in the research or data team, students can gain practical experience with IT and IT services as well as with high-performance computing or the early use of artificially intelligent systems and earn money at the same time. The LRZ also conducts its own basic research, so you can work on topics for your bachelor's, master's or PhD thesis, which are supervised in cooperation with Munich's universities. Bachelor or Master students can start their IT career or continue their research at the LRZ: there are currently around a dozen PhD students here, and IT experts also move to our industrial partners when research projects in which the LRZ was involved are completed. Graduates in computer science or data science are also welcome at the LRZ, where they can receive training and gain further qualifications with certificates. It's worth taking a look at the job opportunities at the LRZ at all stages of your professional life - we're not just looking for computer scientists and data specialists.

Diversity is important to the LRZ - how is this reflected in the organisation and collaboration? Osorio: For us, diversity is not about being trendy. On the contrary, the LRZ team has become more international and more diverse in recent years, also because it is important to us to offer opportunities to women. We have seen that diversity in all its dimensions contributes to good cooperation, more innovation and thus to the success of the company. How we deal with diversity in the workplace is now the responsibility of an all-volunteer diversity team, which collects and provides information on the subject for colleagues and advises the HR department and management on necessary measures or actions. On their initiative, we offer workshops to raise awareness among employees and managers of the benefits of different approaches and ways of thinking. The LRZ is also committed to the values and rules of the Diversity Charter - we also get a lot of ideas from this international working group about how we should engage with each other.

Do older people have a chance in this dynamic environment of IT services and technology development? Where? Osorio: Of course, diversity has many more dimensions than gender or internationality; the mix of young professionals and those with many years of experience also plays a role in successful collaboration. The average age at the LRZ is 43. For some projects we have hired people who were close to retirement. We have benefited from their experience.

Welcome to the LRZ team (in reality we are more sympatic people).

305 employees from 46 countries: How does the LRZ manage this high level of internationality? Osorio: As an internationally networked research institute, we naturally look abroad for specialists and managers. English has long been established at the LRZ as a second working language alongside German, supported by digital translation aids such as DeepL, Google Translate or language services. In addition to the language, the arrival is important, especially for people who are new to Europe. The friendly, inquisitive atmosphere at the LRZ and the good team spirit help. Many questions asked by employees from abroad, for example about obligations towards authorities and landlords, or about school and shopping habits, in short: questions about how to settle in, do not reach our HR department because they have already been clarified among colleagues.

Around 30 percent of employees have children - how does the LRZ support families? Osorio: We accommodate almost every request for part-time work for parents or people with relatives in need of care. Home offices and flexible, result-oriented working are possible in many areas; a parent-child office helps to bridge childcare bottlenecks when presence is required. We often learn from our employees and from the Bavarian Family Pact - the LRZ is a member of this organisation - how we can provide even better support for parents and carers. The measures have been well received, and I am delighted that more and more fathers at the LRZ are deciding to take time out for their families and actively support their wives in their care work and childcare.

It is often said that skilled workers, especially IT specialists, do not earn as much in the public sector as they do in the private sector. What does the LRZ do to counter this? Osorio: The LRZ is not profit-oriented and is largely financed by taxpayers money. We have a lot of great, innovative machines, and we can largely decide for ourselves how and with whom we use them for research, and how we use them to design IT services for science and research. The LRZ is increasingly networked in the Bavarian, German and European research community and is involved in many initiatives for the further development and democratisation of new technologies. In such an environment, ideas and personal commitment are very welcome. Conversely, everyone can learn about new computer technologies and working methods here every day, throughout their working lives; we are and will remain up to date on a relevant topic. Yes, the pay in the public sector may not be as high due to current collective agreements, but it is transparent. And money isn't everything: team spirit, exciting and meaningful work, and a secure job without hire and fire or fierce competition are often more important. And from that point of view, we really do have a lot to offer.

How can someone apply? Osorio: Please take a look at our website to see what jobs are available. If you can’t find anything suitable, you are welcome to send us a speculative application tailored to your skills. This is particularly relevant in the areas of technology, research, facility management and administration. In addition, the LRZ often has new vacancies at short notice due to new projects. Subscribing to our newsletter is also recommended; not only are all vacancies listed here, but you will also find reports and articles on new technologies, research tasks and topics that the LRZ is currently working on and where young talents or veterans can get involved. For each application we need a letter of motivation, a CV, certificates - the usual stuff.

Now that we have talked so much about the LRZ as an employer, why do you work at the LRZ? Osorio: I want to work in an environment or in a company that deals with issues that I can personally identify with and that doesn't just focus on profit and growth. Equal career opportunities for women and men are also important to me, as well as diversity in all dimensions and - yes - internationality. I'm a believer, so to speak - I appreciate that this is a place where doors are always open and criticism can be expressed openly. And Iobserve the excellent work and dedication of my colleagues in IT operations, and I find the  research we do here exciting, to say nothing of the work of our compact facility management team, which keeps the LRZ buildings running. There are so many talented people at the LRZ with whom I can exchange ideas. There is so much energy, expertise and passion here - you rarely find that elsewhere. (Interview: vs/ssc)

Sabine Osorio, head of human resources at LRZ