Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and optimise scientific software for high-performance computing projects.
- Company: Join the Hartree Centre, a leader in supercomputing and AI technologies.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible hours, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate simulations while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Studying a computational, scientific, or mathematical degree; programming skills in C/C++ and Python.
- Other info: Collaborate with experts in a supportive, dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 23493 - 23493 £ per year.
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £23,493 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 12 weeks
Hours: Full-time
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD
Closing date: 8th March 2026
Interview: Virtually via Microsoft Teams in April 2026
Start date: July 2026
The Hartree Centre helps UK businesses and organisations of any size to explore and adopt supercomputing, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for enhanced productivity, smarter innovation and economic growth. Backed by significant UK government funding and strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as IBM, Atos and the University of Liverpool, the Hartree Centre is home to some of the most advanced digital technologies and experts in the UK.
Our experts collaborate with industry and the research community in all sectors to explore the latest emerging technologies, upskill teams, and apply practical digital solutions to individual and industry-wide challenges for societal and economic benefit.
Hartree’s High-Performance Software Engineering Group specialises in developing and optimising scientific software for use on high-performance computers. Your role will be to contribute to the automatic parallelisation and analysis tools that the group develops to assist the UK Met Office perform their weather and climate simulations. You will have the opportunity to participate in the development of an open-source tool, to dig into the computational performance details of microbenchmarks, understand how well applications make use of the latest GPU and CPU hardware and investigate how they might be improved.
We are an enthusiastic and friendly team that will actively support the successful student by offering flexible mentoring, both in person and online, to ensure they feel guided, confident, and supported throughout their time with us.
This placement will give you the opportunity to:
- Develop your skills in scientific/technical software development as a member of an international team;
- Learn how such software maps onto hardware and the implications this has for performance;
- Learn about the software-development cycle and gain experience in contributing to open-source software;
- Learn how compilers may be used to tune software performance;
- Learn how to use GPUs to accelerate scientific/technical software.
Summer Placements at STFC
STFC’s incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. Whichever you choose, you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will also be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Within this placement, responsibilities will include:
- Build, run and measure the performance of benchmark software on CPU and GPU;
- Report and discuss results with wider team;
- Contribute to open-source software developed by the team.
Person Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:
Essential:
- You are in full time education at university, and will be returning to university/your studies to complete your undergraduate degree once the summer placement has concluded (S)
- You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
- You are studying for an undergraduate degree in a computational, scientific or mathematical subject area (S)
- Able to develop in a compiled language (e.g. Fortran, C, C++)
- You are able to program in Python (S&I)
- You are interested in performance optimisation and making use of new computer hardware (S&I)
- You enjoy learning new things and having the freedom to investigate problems (I)
- You enjoy working as part of a team and are able to communicate effectively with other team members (S&I)
Desirable:
- Experience using Linux (S)
Employee Benefits
We are offering a fixed term position with a whole host of benefits including:
- 30 days holiday pro rata
- Flexible working hours.
- Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.
Application Guidance
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert. Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what’s possible!
High Performance Computing Software Engineer Summer Placement in Warrington employer: UKRI
Contact Detail:
UKRI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land High Performance Computing Software Engineer Summer Placement in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Hartree Centre and its projects. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. Focus on how your skills in programming and performance optimisation can benefit their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for learning! During the interview, highlight your eagerness to dive into new technologies and tackle challenges. They want someone who’s excited about the field and ready to grow.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at STFC. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace High Performance Computing Software Engineer Summer Placement in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight the skills and experiences that match the role. Focus on your programming abilities in languages like Fortran, C, C++, and Python, as well as any relevant projects or coursework.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be a chance to shine! Address how you meet each essential criterion listed in the job description. Show us your passion for performance optimisation and your eagerness to learn new things.
Show Your Team Spirit: We love team players! In your application, mention any group projects or collaborative experiences you've had. Highlight how you communicate effectively with others, as teamwork is key in our environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team at the Hartree Centre.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Tech
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of high-performance computing, especially in relation to CPU and GPU performance. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used programming languages like Fortran, C, or Python in your projects, and think about specific examples where you've optimised performance.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role is all about collaboration, so be prepared to talk about your experiences working in teams. Share examples of how you’ve communicated effectively with others and contributed to group projects. Highlight your enthusiasm for learning from your peers and supporting them in return.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving
Expect some technical questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in your studies or projects, and how you approached them. Practise explaining your thought process clearly, as this will show your analytical skills and ability to tackle complex issues.
✨Research the Hartree Centre
Familiarise yourself with the Hartree Centre’s work and its impact on industries. Understanding their projects and goals will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their mission. It’ll also give you a chance to ask insightful questions during the interview.