The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) in Heidelberg is Germany’s largest biomedical research institution.
Within the thriving biomedical research hub of the Rhine-Neckar region, DKFZ is contributing to the "HEALTH + LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE Heidelberg Mannheim" promoting research and innovation through synergy by bridging world-leading life science and biomedical research institutions and by bringing together a highly diverse range of disciplines and a cluster of top researchers. Heidelberg University with its faculties of Medicine, Biosciences, and Engineering Sciences, the University Hospital Heidelberg and the University Hospital Mannheim, the German Cancer Research Center, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, and the Central Institute for Mental Health have the common goal to develop the Rhine-Neckar region into a world-leading innovation cluster by supporting cutting-edge research and promoting transfer of knowledge into new diagnostics and therapeutics.
Role Overview:
Dedicated to the continuous improvement of human health, we are seeking a cloud engineer to join our newly formed team tasked with designing and implementing the core system for this data space. The system will be primarily built on AWS, with on-premise compute and storage options to be added later. As a cloud engineer, you will play a key role in developing a scalable, secure, and efficient cloud infrastructure that supports research projects across institutions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Design, implement, and maintain a scalable cloud infrastructure on AWS to support project management, research data sharing, and computing
* Develop Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using tools like Terraform or AWS CloudFormation
* Implement containerized compute environments using Kubernetes (EKS) or Docker-based orchestration
* Enable hybrid cloud solutions, integrating AWS with on-premise compute and storage resources
* Design and optimize data storage solutions using AWS S3 and integrate on-premise S3-compatible storage options
* Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and regulatory requirements for handling sensitive research data
* Collaborate with web developers and other engineers to integrate cloud services with the data space management system
* Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement optimizations for reliability and cost efficiency
* Maintain high-quality code with proper documentation, testing, and version control (Git)
* Develop and maintain documentation, CI/CD pipelines, and automation scripts
Your profile:
Required Qualifications:
* Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
* Strong experience with AWS services, including but not limited to EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM, VPC, and RDS
* Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar)
* Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS EKS, or similar)
* Knowledge of cloud networking, security best practices, and identity management
* Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automation tools (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins), and monitoring solutions
* Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment
* A strong background in industry standard DevOps tasks and processes
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with hybrid cloud environments and integrating on-premise resources with cloud services
* Understanding of data governance, compliance, and security frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
* Proficiency in Python, Go, or Bash scripting for automation
* Previous experience in academic research environments or health/life sciences data infrastructure
We Offer
Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for international networking at the highest level
30 days of vacation per year
Flexible working hours
Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
Possibility of mobile work and part-time work
Family-friendly working environment
Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
Unleash your full potential: targeted offers for your personal development to further develop your talents
Our Corporate Health Management Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being