Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 5 years in the first instance.

The salary for this post is: £42,149 – £60,022 per annum. In addition, this position is eligible for a market supplement of up to £9,978.

Computational modelling is at the core of climate science, where complex models of earth systems are a routine part of the scientific process, but this comes with challenges. Most models embed significant amounts of inherent and accidental complexity which impedes the programming task itself, as well as hampering verification and maintenance efforts, reproducibility, and high-performance executions to compute predictions. In the face of the present climate crisis, there is pressing need for skilled software engineers to aid climate scientists in delivering a new generation of high-quality, high-performance, and high-assurance models. This is the broad aim of these RSE posts at the new Institute of Computing for Climate Science (ICCS) at the University of Cambridge.

The key objective of ICCS is to improve understanding of our changing climate through the development, implementation, maintenance, and dissemination of models for scientific computing, data assimilation and analysis. ICCS hosts a team of Research Software Engineers who are working directly with four international Schmidt Futures’ Virtual Earth Systems Research Institutes (VESRI) to directly address specific computation and research software needs of climate scientists. The team of RSEs will also interact closely with researchers based at ICCS. Thus, this provide a unique opportunity to be involved in research projects directly connected to climate science but also broader research into supporting climate science through computer science, software engineering, and data science.

RSEs will be part of a team, with training and guidance provided by Chris Edsall (Head of Research Software Engineering) and Dominic Orchard (Computer Science Lead). RSEs will be encouraged to develop their own ideas and can leverage the research team to explore projects that could have wider impacts beyond the immediate science teams. RSEs will also be encouraged to take part in training, including the opportunity to help run training sessions for PhDs and other scientists. The post also includes funding to support travel to conferences (such as the UK RSE conference) and for training activities to support career development. The position also includes dining rights at Queens’ college.

Essential requirements for the role include:

  • Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in software engineering, including a strong track record of employing best practises in modern SE.
  • Significant experience with one or more of C++, Python, Fortran.
  • A track record of RSE work or significant industry software engineering experience.
  • Experience working in a scientific context is desirable but not a requirement.

    The institute is a joint venture between the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) and the Department of Computer Science and Technology (CST) and University Information Services (UIS), thanks to a major philanthropic donation from Schmidt Futures. Professor Emily Shuckburgh (CST) is the Academic Director of ICCS, with particular responsibility for professional development and training, leading a team of co-directors: Professor Colm-cille Caulfield (Head of DAMTP, with particular responsibility for Science), Chris Edsall (UIS, with responsibility for Software Engineering) and Dr Dominic Orchard (CST and the University of Kent, with responsibility for Computer Science).

    We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

    We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our institution.

    The closing date for applications is 30 June 2022 .

    The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

    The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.