At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to design and develop the UK's next research assessment exercise, REF 2029.
- Company: Be part of the Research Excellence Framework, shaping research quality in UK higher education.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days annual leave, and access to a Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research funding while collaborating in an agile, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Bring your cloud development experience and skills in JavaScript, .Net, and secure systems.
- Other info: We prioritize employee development with training opportunities and a supportive work culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
<p><strong>CONTRACT TYPE:</strong> Fixed Term until December 2029* </p> <p><strong>LOCATION:</strong> Westward House, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR (Hybrid)</p> <p>*At the end of the assignment candidates will move into the UKRI redeployment pool and be supported in finding suitable alternative work within the organisation. </p> <p><strong>ABOUT US</strong></p> <p>The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It is a peer review assessment process involving submissions from higher education institutions across the UK. Research England delivered REF 2021 on behalf of the four UK funding bodies and the results have driven the annual distribution of approximately £2 billion of research funding to UK universities. We are now developing the systems to deliver REF 2029 and looking for talented individuals to help.</p> <p><strong>PURPOSE</strong></p> <p>An exciting opportunity to shape the design, development, and delivery of the UK's next research assessment exercise, REF 2029. We require systems to be delivered to support:</p> <ul> <li>Administration of the exercise</li> <li>The submission of large volumes of research data from all participating HEIs</li> <li>The dissemination and assessment of all elements of the research data submitted. </li> </ul> <p><strong>MAIN OUTPUTS</strong></p> <ul> <li>Deliver and maintain code and systems reliably to high quality standard.</li> <li>Collaborate with all delivery workstreams to ensure REF systems are cohesive.</li> <li>Collaborate with REF programme as well as teams in Research England and UKRI to ensure optimal use of team resources.</li> <li>Develop features of the REF systems ensuring security and accessibility.</li> <li>Work within the team's agile framework contributing to continuous improvement.</li> <li>Deliver and maintain code and systems reliably to high quality standard, implementing shared coding standards and code reviews and technical discussions.</li> <li>Collaborate with whole REF systems team to ensure that systems design and delivery is developed by key REF guidance. Working closely within the team and with the lead developer to deliver agile and project goals. </li> </ul> <p><strong>ASSESSMENT CRITERIA</strong></p> <ul> <li>Extensive experience working in a cloud-based development environment (AWS/Azure). </li> <li>Highly experienced working with complex data models.</li> <li>Experience of developing secure systems ensuring data is always protected.</li> <li>Experienced in delivering WCAG2.1 compliant systems, embedding accessibility in all deliverables.</li> <li>Languages and technical skills</li> <li>JavaScript/TypeScript, .Net, JSON, XML, NodeJS, Express</li> <li>HTML and CSS/SaSS/LESS, Tailwind, StyledComponents</li> <li>React/NextJS</li> <li>SQL/RDMS/Postgres</li> <li>SSO/AD – Knowledge of OAuth, JWT, Azure AD</li> <li>Fluent knowledge of package management and packaging npm, yarn, pnpm workspaces, webpack, etc</li> <li>RESTful API development</li> <li>Jira/Confluence/SCRUM team experience </li> </ul> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION</strong></p> <p><em><u>DEVELOPING TALENT</u></em><u>:</u></p> <p>We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.</p> <p><em><u>BENEFITS:</u></em></p> <p>UKRI can offer the successful candidate:</p> <p>- Flexible Working</p> <p>- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays</p> <p>- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme</p> <p>- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider</p>
REF Senior Developer employer: Research England
Contact Detail:
Research England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land REF Senior Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and its significance in UK higher education. Understanding the context and objectives of REF 2029 will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and alignment with the role during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience with cloud-based development environments, especially AWS or Azure. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've utilized these technologies, as this is a key requirement for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your knowledge of secure system development and data protection practices. Prepare examples of how you've implemented security measures in past projects, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your familiarity with agile methodologies and tools like Jira and Confluence. Being able to discuss your experience working in SCRUM teams will set you apart as a candidate who can thrive in their collaborative environment.
We think you need these skills to ace REF Senior Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the REF Senior Developer position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially in cloud-based development environments and secure systems.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight your experience with JavaScript/TypeScript, .Net, and other relevant technologies mentioned in the job description. Emphasize your experience with complex data models and accessibility standards.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your previous experiences to the specific requirements of the REF Senior Developer role. Mention your familiarity with agile frameworks and collaboration within teams, as these are crucial for this position.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, clearly outline your technical skills and experiences related to RESTful API development, SQL/RDMS/Postgres, and package management. Providing examples of past projects can strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Research England
✨Showcase Your Cloud Experience
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in cloud-based development environments like AWS or Azure. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you utilized these technologies and the impact they had on the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Data Handling Skills
Since the role involves working with complex data models, come ready to explain your experience with data management. Share examples of how you've developed secure systems that protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
✨Emphasize Accessibility Knowledge
Given the importance of WCAG2.1 compliance, be sure to discuss your experience in developing accessible systems. Provide examples of how you've embedded accessibility into your deliverables and the positive feedback received from users.
✨Familiarize Yourself with Agile Practices
As the team works within an agile framework, demonstrate your understanding of agile methodologies. Discuss your experience with tools like Jira and Confluence, and how you've contributed to continuous improvement in previous roles.