At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Digital Research Team to develop software for showcasing collections and supporting research.
- Company: The British Library, the national library of the UK, rich in history and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a Civil Service pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse candidates; great career growth opportunities await!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital scholarship and public outreach while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, digital scholarship, and excellent communication skills required.
We are looking for a Digital Humanities Research Software Engineer (DH RSE) to become an integral part of the Digital Research Team at the British Library.
Location: St Pancras
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Grade: A
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of our digital scholarship and public outreach activities. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the successful candidate will help identify requirements, design and implement software to showcase our collections, help answer research questions, and support application of novel methods across team activities. The DH RSE will create outputs, tools and interfaces for digitised collections, crowdsourcing and annotation tasks, for subject matter specialists, academic, and public users.
The post holder will have a good understanding of digital scholarship, preferably gained from working in a research library, academic or other appropriate environment. This may include work as a research software engineer, software developer, creative technologist, data or visualisation specialist, or digital humanities researcher. They will have excellent technology skills, including experience of the tools and technologies that support digital scholarship, increasingly including AI and machine learning. Excellent oral and written communication skills are also essential for this post. As with other Research Software Engineer roles, the post holder will have the opportunity to develop their skills and play an active part in all aspects of research and outreach, including publications.
About us
We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.
What we can offer you:
- 25 days’ holiday plus 2.5 privilege days.
- Access to a defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme.
- Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time.
Things you need to know:
- We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role.
- Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check (DBS check).
- Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn.
- We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse candidates and disabled candidates. Creating an inclusive workplace is the core of our business and a way to engage the diversity of thought that is essential to achieve our aims.
Research Software Engineer employer: Code4lib
The British Library is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets tradition. As a Digital Humanities Research Software Engineer, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to advancing digital scholarship and public outreach, with access to generous benefits including 25 days of holiday, a Civil Service pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements. The library's commitment to inclusivity and employee growth ensures that you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while contributing to a living collection that inspires discovery and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Software Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Code4lib or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Code4lib.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Code4lib.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Code4lib that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Code4lib.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Code4lib and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Code4lib
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Code4lib uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
