Research Engineer In Open-Source Machine Learning

Introduction

Would you like to work on open source software full-time? Do you want to be part of a team that does advanced AI research and builds tools to make machine learning research more accessible and reproducible? Join us to build the next generation of OpenML, an open platform for sharing AI artifacts.

Job Description

OpenML is a popular open science platform for sharing interconnected AI artifacts (e.g. datasets, models, and benchmarks) using open standards and structured APIs. Hosted at TU Eindhoven, OpenML serves over 300,000 users, has supported over 1,600 scientific studies, and won the Dutch Data Prize. We are looking for an excellent engineer to significantly redesign it and build the next generation of the OpenML platform.

There are two positions available:

• Position 1: Improve OpenML itself. This position is for 1.5 years, to start as soon as possible.
• Position 2: Integrate OpenML with other data and compute infrastructure. This position is for 3.5 years, to start around June-July 2026.

Position 1: Improve OpenML itself

This project will help strengthen the impact and sustainability of OpenML, by:

• Modernizing Infrastructure to simplify deployment and streamline community contributions.
• Improving Open Data, enriching OpenML metadata with FAIR-aligned elements (e.g. data cards and model cards), supporting diverse data types and modalities, and allowing integration with other open science infrastructures.
• Enhancing User Experience through better interfaces and collaboration features.
• Engaging the Scientific Community, ensuring that the platform meets the evolving needs of the open science community.

You will focus primarily on task 1 and 2, specific responsibilities include:

• Update the technical infrastructure components of OpenML to more modern and contributor-friendly technologies.
• Enrich metadata by building on community standards such as Croissant, including quality metrics, DOI references, data provenance (e.g. data cards and model cards) and responsible AI metadata.
• Extend support for more data modalities (e.g. imagery, time series, text, and multi-modal data), and domain-specific open data formats (e.g., genomic data).
• Streamline data loading into AI tools to facilitate AI experimentation in many scientific workflows.
• Update developer tools and documentation to speed up the onboarding of new community contributors and streamline maintenance.
• Close collaboration with another hire for the project based in Leiden University that focuses on task 3 and 4.

Position 2: Integrate OpenML with other data and compute infrastructure

For this position, you will help seamlessly integrate OpenML with other Dutch and international infrastructures (e.g., SURF, NLeSC, Hugging Face) to transform it into a next-generation, unified platform for AI:

• Allow people to access datasets and models uniformly from various hosting infrastructures.
• Easily train and benchmark AI models transparently on scalable computational infrastructure.
• Organize all data and results automatically for easier reuse and better reproducibility.

Specific key tasks include:

• Redesign the OpenML platform architecture to streamline federation.
• Update the OpenML backend and APIs to implement integrations with other APIs (e.g. Hugging Face libraries, Harvard Dataverse) and compute infrastructure.
• Improve experiment tracking from AI tools (e.g., PyTorch), using a tracking API or callbacks, with a focus on global community collaboration and better reproducibility.
• Accelerate AI-driven research: support team-based, real-time collaboration, share reproducible results via permalinks in papers, track impact metrics (e.g., dataset reuse), integrate with code repositories (e.g., GitHub) and publishing platforms (e.g,. ArXiv).
• Continuous infrastructure improvement, incorporating community feedback, improving scalability and simplifying maintenance.

Both positions are hosted by the research group on Advanced Models by Open Research & Engineering (AMOR/e), providing an ideal environment for advanced AI research and collaboration. You will work directly with AMOR/e’s engineering team, including Pieter Gijsbers, Subhaditya Mukherjee, and Joaquin Vanschoren.

You will also be supported by project partners in Leiden University, the SURF supercomputing center, and the Dutch e-Science Center. Beyond that, you work together with the wider OpenML community, especially the core contributors, as well as the Croissant community (led by Google and the Open Data Institute), and developers from other AI platforms such as Hugging Face.

For more information on the AMOR/e group, visit https://amore-labs.github.io
For more information on OpenML, visit https://www.openml.org
A more complete description of the positions is also available on the AMOR/e website.

Job Requirements

• Required: proficiency in Python
• Required: familiarity with at least some parts of our stack: Linux, Docker, web services, preferably also S3, Kubernetes, and Elasticsearch.
• Experience with open source development is an asset.
• A collaborative spirit and good communication skills (in English).
• A passion for AI.

If you are concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond. We would love to look at your profile.

Conditions of Employment

An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A monthly salary of minimum €4,728 to maximum €6,433 for full-time employment for 1.5 years (position 1) or 3.5 years (position 2), depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 11 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

With over 110 (assistant, associate and full) professors, almost 300 PhD and EngD students, about 1.500 Bachelor students and 1000 Master students, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS) is the largest department of the TU/e. By performing top-level fundamental and applied research, and maintaining strong ties with industry, M&CS aims to contribute to science and innovation in and beyond the region.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position that is not on our website (https://amore-labs.github.io), please contact the hiring managers at amore@tue.nl.

For questions about the application process or the conditions of employment, please contact amore@tue.nl. 

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications. Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note 

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.