At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop high-quality code for innovative research projects in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join King’s Digital Lab, a dynamic team at King’s College London.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, hybrid options, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal research and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital scholarship while expanding your tech skills.
- Qualifications: Expertise in modern web development and strong collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 53947 - 63350 £ per year.
King’s Digital Lab (KDL) is a Research Software Engineering (RSE) team embedded within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at King’s College London. We design and implement systems, infrastructure, tools and processes needed to produce a diverse range of high-quality digital scholarship. We have an open, collaborative culture, both within the Lab and with our research partners. We are deeply committed to co-research, working together through discovery, design, building and maintaining research outputs. KDL is constantly evolving as we explore new tools and methods. We are a small team that emphasises inclusivity and trust in our staff. We embrace flexible working, including flexible hours and extensive hybrid working – 80% remote and 20% on campus is typical.
Your main responsibility is to develop high-quality code to support product specifications and requirements in collaboration with research leads and the wider RSE team. You will have advanced expertise in at least one programming language and proficiency in others, along with a keen interest in software development. Your role involves producing research solutions, from data analysis pipelines to web applications, in a variety of domains. You may have specialised skills in areas such as machine learning/AI, data visualisation, creative technologies, or DevOps, alongside a core competency in web development.
A crucial aspect of the role is contributing to e-Research capability within the Lab and Faculty, as well as across the University. Awareness of best practices in software development, digital research methods, and data management is essential. As a Senior Research Software Engineer, you will have advanced expertise and take a leading role in planning and decision-making related to the research solutions KDL produces.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria:
- Expertise with modern web development stacks (e.g. JavaScript/TypeScript/Python, HTML/CSS, Node.js/Django, containerisation, CI/CD pipelines).
- Advanced proficiency in making well‑reasoned, complex technical decisions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent collaboration, leadership and communication skills.
- An inclusive approach, supporting a positive and open team culture.
- Skills in data modelling for database design for research applications.
- Motivation for learning and integrating new technologies.
- Demonstrable understanding of accessibility, security, privacy and ethical concerns for research apps.
- Desirable criteria:
- Understanding of agile software methodologies.
- Experience contributing to training, workshops, or knowledge-sharing activities.
- Knowledge of/experience working in digital humanities, social sciences, or research within higher education.
- Experience with composable architectures.
- Knowledge of/experience with tools and practices related to KDL’s research themes.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and career paths, and encourage candidates to think broadly about their transferable skills. We particularly welcome applications from women and gender‑minoritised candidates, candidates from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, and disabled candidates, as they are underrepresented within King’s in this type of role.
This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.
Senior Research Software Engineer in London employer: King's College London
At King’s College London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages professional development. Located in the heart of London, our institution offers unique advantages such as access to world-class resources and a vibrant community dedicated to advancing research and education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Software Engineer in London
✨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 King's College London 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 King's College London.
✨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 King's College London.
✨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 King's College London 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Software Engineer in London
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 King's College London.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at King's College London 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 King's College London
✨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 King's College London 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.
