e-Research

The mission of e-Research is to help enable and facilitate computational and data-intensive research across KCL Faculties.

We provide the infrastructure and platforms required by a wide range of research areas. Furthermore, we provide specialist support to PhD and post-docs to develop their skills to use these systems effectively in their research projects. Help and advice is also available each step of the way. Additionally, the logistical strain of creating these platforms individually is taken away. e-Research has a team that will acquire what you need and will follow its journey from quote to installation; going further with support and advice for the entirety of the project.

This bridge between the researchers and their technological need is separated into different aspects of this service. The e-Research space is always changing to meet the needs of KCL's researchers.

CREATE

e-Research's Computational Research, Engineering And Technology Environment (CREATE) is the result of the need that culminated through faculties undertaking progressively more technologically demanding research. With CREATE, researchers have a space that has experienced subject matter experts on-hand to aid them with adapting sophisticated technology and applying it to produce world leading research.

The Create HPC provides researchers with the Central Processing Units (CPUs), Random Access Memory (RAM), Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), ample non-volatile storage and the networking infrastructure to fascilitate a seamless and uninterrupted experience for the end user.

CREATE is made up of different specialist components. See below for more information.

Trusted Research Environment

The Trusted Research Environment (TRE) initiative marks a pivotal enhancement in e-Research's capabilities, specifically devised to meet the pressing need for a secure framework tailored for the handling of sensitive data, including human data. This strategic development reflects our unwavering commitment to bolstering data security and promoting a safer, more reliable research environment across King's College London and its affiliated institutions.

As of December 2023, the TRE has successfully transitioned from its conceptual phase to full operational status, now readily available to researchers within KCL. This significant milestone underscores the platform's readiness to provide a safeguarded space where researchers can securely store, manage, and analyse sensitive datasets.

Research Software Engineering

The Research Software Engineering (RSE) function within e-Research supports the development of research software at KCL and its partner institutions. We achieve this through: direct collaboration with researchers; embedding experienced Research Software Engineers within new and existing research project teams; helping to up-skill researchers through our computational skills training; and providing short-term consultancy to those looking for advice on specific questions relating to their research software.

Research Data Storage

The e-Research Research Data Storage (RDS) platform has been implemented to enable KCL researchers to safely secure their bulk and voluminous research data. RDS is designed to host petabytes of research data and manage vast scientific data from a wide range of different disciplines.

RDS stores and presents users' data in a standard manner using a network file system which can be mounted on users' own devices.

RDS is designed to prevent research groups from having to purchase and manage their own storage (such as local network array storage devices) and is designed to be interfaced with scientific instrumentation. This enables high data volumes generated on the devices to be quickly copied or moved onto RDS where they can be stored safely.