Alexandre Boucaud

astronomer • data scientist • software engineer @ CNRS

I am a scientific software engineer specialised in data processing for large scale astronomical experiments.
Always eager to learn new technologies, I like to share my knowledge by giving tutorials for developers or the general public.
During my free time I mostly enjoy traveling, climbing and dancing salsa and swing.

  • aboucaud at apc dot in2p3 dot fr

Experience

Scientific Software Engineer

At APC, I am currently involved with

  • the camera control of LSST
  • the development of data processing for LISA
  • applications of deep learning on galaxy images for Euclid & LSST.

Dec 2018 - Present

Data Scientist - Scientific Software Engineer

At CDS, I used my scientific background to bridge the gap between domain scientists and machine learning experts, and set up collaborative data science challenges.
I actively participated in the development of an open-source collaborative data challenge ecosystem called RAMP.
My time was divided between challenge management and code base development and maintenance.
After selecting projects on proposals, I collaborated with domain scientists from various fields to set up and supervise data challenges.
On the RAMP platform, I was involved in the development of the codebase, the maintenance of the past challenges repositories and the support to challenge participants.

May 2017 - Nov 2018

Research Engineer

As the local deputy project manager for the science ground segment activities of the Euclid satellite mission, I coordinated two work packages: I lead the development, optimisation and integration of image processing algorithms into the main pipeline ; and supervised their deployment on data processing centers.
I was strongly involved in the coordination of Python activities in the collaboration (tutoring of the developers, set up of the coding standards).

October 2013 - April 2017

Education

PhD in Cosmology

Université Paris Diderot & APC, CNRS
Thesis manuscript can be found here.
October 2010 - September 2013

MSc in Fundamental Physics and Engineering

Université Paris Diderot
September 2007 - September 2010

Skills

  • Expertise in signal processing and deep learning methods - Keras, TensorFlow, Pytorch
  • Adept of good software engineering practices - TDD, continuous integration
  • Python expert - code refactoring, optimisation, tutoring
  • Strong scientific background
  • Excellent abilities for oral and written communication in English
Programming Languages & Tools
Platforms

Tutorial slideshows

Selection of technical presentations. Use for navigation
Python
Git and continuous integration
Deep neural networks