Research Software Engineer

Research Software Engineer

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
The Rosalind Franklin Institute

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop innovative scientific software and collaborate with researchers to tackle exciting challenges.
  • Company: Join a leading research institution focused on cutting-edge technology in life sciences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, generous pension, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI research while building your skills and reputation in the field.
  • Qualifications: Experience in software development and a passion for scientific research.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth and collaboration opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

As a Research Software Engineer (RSE) at the Franklin, you will bring scientific research and computational skills to develop scientific software, apply artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to solve scientific challenges and develop compute and data infrastructure to accelerate scientific workloads. Through this work, you will build scientific independence, develop new science and leadership skills, and establish a growing reputation externally in the Research Software Engineering community and beyond.

A successful candidate will be working collaboratively with our research project teams to provide expert advice and assistance as they tackle challenging problems across the scientific disciplines at the Franklin. They will also work on developing centralized data and compute infrastructure including High Performance Computing (HPC), cloud and data storage/management.

The Franklin faces cutting edge technological challenges, and by leveraging software development in tandem with scientific discovery, it presents a unique and exciting environment for Research Software Engineering. We are a lean, agile and collaborative team that works on a wide variety of scientific and infrastructure projects. As an RSE in the Advanced Research Computing platform (ARC) you will be working on developing software and technology solutions to drive AI research in bioscience, implementing best practices for scientific data management, and leveraging cloud and HPC platforms to provide powerful compute capabilities to our users. In this role, your contribution will help to deliver the Franklin’s mission to drive forward technology development in the life sciences.

Key Responsibilities

As a Research Software Engineer you will:

  • Develop and deploy bespoke scientific software, collaborating with scientists across the Franklin, and making the best use of our existing data infrastructure. This can include web applications, APIs, machine learning tools, and image processing pipelines.
  • Utilise good software development practices such as CI/CD, writing tests, documentation, and using installers where appropriate.
  • Requirements gathering; being able to convert discussions with scientists into a software development specific and implementation plan.
  • Create and maintain a comprehensive and up to date best practice documentation for all members of the Franklin.
  • Provide user support and service management (e.g. training, writing documentation).
  • Learn to develop and maintain the Franklin’s Cloud/HPC/Data infrastructure.
  • Plan and conduct experiments, analyse and interpret results and supervised delivery of outputs (e.g. research report, patent application) in Research Software Engineering, HPC, Cloud or Research Data Management.
  • Work within a project team, contributing to wider projects around Franklin's key Challenges.
  • Lead major contributions to outputs from research including papers, patents and both internal and external presentations.
  • Support and develop others including day-to-day supervision of students or visitors in areas related to own research.
  • Have supervised, staged progression to first stages of scientific independence with opportunities to further develop science and skills/experience.
  • Enhance your research through collaboration with other researchers and make active contributions to exchanging of ideas through your own network.
  • Be able to understand, interpret, create and communicate appropriately within a research context.
  • Develop search and discovery skills and techniques.
  • Be supervised by a Senior RSE in delivery of research outputs, either in the context of a project or Challenge or as an early career development fellow.

In return we offer:

  • 25 days holidays plus bank holidays and Christmas holiday shutdown
  • Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
  • Group Life Assurance (also known as Group Life Insurance or Death in Service)
  • Buying and Selling Annual Leave
  • Workplace Nursery Salary Sacrifice Scheme
  • Hub building with state-of-the-art laboratories
  • Hybrid and flexible working
  • Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
  • Bus pass discount scheme and good transport links to Oxford and surrounding areas
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Access to employee discount platform (Perkbox)
  • Occupational Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance (24/7 support and counselling)
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Subsidised canteen and food outlets on campus
  • Free on-site parking
  • Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff

Research Software Engineer employer: The Rosalind Franklin Institute

The Franklin is an exceptional employer for Research Software Engineers, offering a collaborative and innovative environment where scientific research meets cutting-edge technology. With generous benefits such as 25 days of holiday, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development, employees are supported in their growth while contributing to impactful projects in the life sciences. Located in a picturesque countryside setting, the Franklin fosters a strong work-life balance and a vibrant community through various social and sports clubs.
The Rosalind Franklin Institute

Contact Detail:

The Rosalind Franklin Institute Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Software Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the Research Software Engineering community. Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences to make those valuable connections that could lead to job opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving AI, HPC, or data management. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you can contribute to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply; engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and the team culture. This not only shows your interest but can also give you insider tips for your application.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your talents. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves from our hiring team.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Software Engineer

Scientific Software Development
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Data Science
High Performance Computing (HPC)
Cloud Computing
Data Storage Management
Software Development Practices
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
API Development
Machine Learning Tools
Image Processing Pipelines
Requirements Gathering
Documentation Skills
User Support
Research Data Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Software Engineer role. Highlight your relevant skills in software development, AI, and data management that align with what we’re looking for at the Franklin.

Showcase Your Projects: Include examples of past projects where you've developed scientific software or worked with HPC and cloud technologies. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and contributed to scientific advancements!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your experience and how it relates to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We appreciate clarity!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Rosalind Franklin Institute

✨Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re familiar with the technologies mentioned in the job description, like HPC, cloud platforms, and AI tools. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects.

✨Showcase Collaboration Skills

Since the role involves working closely with scientists, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team setting. Highlight any experience you have in translating scientific needs into software solutions.

✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions

Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process when tackling complex problems, especially those related to scientific software development or data management.

✨Demonstrate Continuous Learning

The field is always evolving, so show your enthusiasm for learning new skills. Discuss any recent courses, workshops, or personal projects that demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in research software engineering.

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