At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a multi-disciplinary team to design and implement software for showcasing collections.
- Company: Be part of the British Library, the national library of the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a Civil Service pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse candidates; excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in digital scholarship and contribute to exciting research projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43867 - 43867 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Grade: A
Salary: £43,867 per annum
Location: St Pancras
This is the starting salary for this role unless the successful candidate is able to evidence being in receipt of a higher salary in which case this may be reviewed.
About the role
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. As a member of a multi‑disciplinary team, you will help identify requirements, design and implement software to showcase our collections, answer research questions, and support the application of novel methods across team activities. You will create outputs, tools and interfaces for digitised collections, crowdsourcing and annotation tasks for subject matter specialists, academics and public users. Examples of past activities can be found in our Research Reports and blog.
We seek someone with a good understanding of digital scholarship, preferably from a research library, academic or similar environment. Experience as a research software engineer, software developer, creative technologist, data or visualisation specialist or digital humanities researcher is desirable. Excellent technology skills, especially with tools that support digital scholarship and AI/ML, are required. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
As with other Research Software Engineer roles, this position offers the opportunity to develop your skills and contribute to 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 grows every day. Our mission is to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and into the future, making it accessible 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.
Full details of employee benefits can be found on our Careers: Benefits.
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 support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and derived from your own experience. Plagiarism or AI‑generated content presented as your own may result in withdrawal of the application. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse candidates and disabled candidates. Creating an inclusive workplace is a core value and essential to achieving our aims.
Closing
The position will close at 23:59 on Friday 19th July 2026.
Contact
For any questions, please contact BL‑
Research Software Engineer in London employer: The British Library
The British Library is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the Digital Research Team. With a commitment to employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and generous benefits including 25 days of holiday and a defined benefit pension scheme. Located in St Pancras, you will be part of a national institution dedicated to making knowledge accessible, while contributing to meaningful research that impacts diverse communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 The British Library 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 The British Library.
✨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 The British Library.
✨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 The British Library 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 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 The British Library.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The British Library 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 The British Library
✨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 The British Library 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.
