Research Software Engineer

Research Services

One new full-time post is available immediately on an open-ended subject to funding. This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

Research Software Engineers

The University of Exeter has recently established a new Research Software Engineering (RSE) Group to support cutting-edge research, and its impact across the university. RSEs make a vital contribution to the University’s research portfolio by developing and applying professionally usable software tools to address real-world data science, modelling, simulation, and other challenges across the spectrum of computational and social science.

We are seeking a talented software developer to join the Research Software Engineering team.

All RSEs within the Group collaborate with academics across the University’s research community to create software and scripts that implement research and apply research methodologies to data and models in a readable, reliable and reproducible fashion.

Generally, RSEs will be simultaneously engaged in several research projects and will therefore be expected to multi-task and prioritise their own workload.  As a fundamental part of the process of applying for research funding, RSEs will advise on project development and co-author data management plans and sections of applications for funding.

RSEs at Exeter will be members of the academic community and encouraged to apply as co-investigators on applications for research funding.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

About you

Successful applicants will be experienced, highly motivated, software developers working to a professional standard and with up-to-date skills. You should have demonstrable experience of working with research data and an ability to contribute to the process of securing funds for research is desirable. Prior experience of working as an RSE within a research environment is desirable.

Applicants will possess professional software development experience or a PhD degree with significant use of computer programming and software engineering, and will have experience in mentoring and evaluating the work of others. Applicants should also be able to work collaboratively with internal and external teams to complete research projects and advance thinking. All RSEs in Exeter are expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the importance of good practices for producing reliable software and reproducible analyses.

About the team

You will join a rapidly growing team of dedicated, friendly and enthusiastic software engineering professionals with a diverse set of interests and backgrounds. We value collaboration, respect and an openness to innovative practises and ways of working. We adopt a flexible, hybrid working style utilising a team space on Streatham campus with some home working.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment above.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Dr Katie Finch, Head of the Research Software Engineering group, email [email protected]. 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.