Job Summary Table of Research Software Engineer

Job Description Summary

Imperial College London’s Research Computing Service is seeking passionate Research Software Engineers to contribute to cutting-edge research by developing innovative, reliable, and maintainable software solutions. This 24-month fixed-term position offers the opportunity to work with world-leading researchers across diverse disciplines.

Research Software Engineer Opportunities 🚀

Are you passionate about creating high-quality software that makes a difference? Do you want to contribute to world-changing research at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world? Imperial College London’s Research Software Engineering (RSE) Team is currently looking for talented engineers to join their innovative and collaborative environment.

These exciting positions within Imperial’s Research Computing Service offer the perfect blend of technical challenge and meaningful impact. As a Research Software Engineer, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work across multiple disciplines, applying your expertise to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and enhance research outcomes across the college.

Research Software Engineer Responsibilities

Working within the established Research Software Engineering Team at Imperial College London, you will:

• Engage directly with researchers to understand their requirements and build reliable, usable, and maintainable research software solutions
• Analyze complex programming challenges and develop innovative solutions to support cutting-edge research
• Collaborate with research teams to select appropriate technologies and system architectures for diverse projects
• Implement software engineering best practices including thorough testing, issue tracking, documentation, version control with Git, build automation, and continuous integration
• Deploy and maintain research software systems to ensure consistent performance and reliability
• Create comprehensive documentation to support ongoing use and development of research software
• Communicate progress effectively through regular reports and meetings with stakeholders
• Prioritize day-to-day tasks efficiently to meet agreed project schedules and research deadlines
• Stay informed about emerging technical developments, tools, and methodologies in research computing
• Promote the team’s activities through publishing code, contributing to journal articles, and delivering presentations
• Provide training on sustainable software development and engineering best practices to researchers
• Actively participate in the broader RSE community both within Imperial and in external networks

Skills and Qualifications for Research Software Engineers

The ideal candidate for this Research Software Engineer position will possess:

• A degree or equivalent working experience, preferably in a technical field
• Demonstrable experience writing software as part of a collaborative team
• Proven ability to analyze, research, and solve complex programming problems
• Strong commitment to software development best practices including issue tracking, testing, documentation, version control (git), build automation, and continuous integration
• Proficiency in at least one programming language commonly used in research environments (Python, C++, Fortran, R, or Matlab)
• Ability to work autonomously while knowing when to seek advice on software design and implementation
• Excellent time management and task prioritization skills
• Intellectual curiosity and flexibility, with a genuine interest in understanding unfamiliar scientific disciplines
• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds

Benefits and Perks

Imperial College London offers an exceptional package of benefits for Research Software Engineers:

• Competitive salary range of £45,700 – £55,240 per annum
• Generous annual leave allowance (39 days per year including public holidays)
• Comprehensive pension scheme with excellent employer contributions
• Flexible working policy from your first day of employment
• Supportive family leave packages for various life circumstances
• On-site leisure facilities to promote work-life balance and wellbeing
• Convenient cycle-to-work scheme to support sustainable commuting
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for public transportation
• Access to diverse staff networks and resources supporting personal and professional wellbeing

Company Overview

Imperial College London is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, with a mission to achieve enduring excellence in research and education for the benefit of society. The institution is renowned for its world-leading research across science, engineering, medicine, and business disciplines, driving innovation and addressing global challenges.

Research Software Engineering Team Culture

The Research Software Engineering (RSE) Team at Imperial College has been established since 2017 and has successfully contributed to dozens of projects across all faculties of the College. The team is passionate about open-source software and firmly supports the FAIR principles of open research. Working within this collaborative environment, you’ll join professionals dedicated to increasing the quality, impact, and sustainability of research software developed at Imperial.

Career Growth Opportunities for Research Software Engineers

Joining the RSE Team at Imperial College provides excellent opportunities for professional growth and development. You’ll gain experience across multiple research domains, expand your technical expertise through challenging projects, and establish valuable connections throughout the academic research community. The role offers visibility within both the institution and the broader RSE community, supporting your long-term career progression.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Imperial College London is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. The institution values different perspectives and backgrounds, recognizing that diversity strengthens its research and educational mission. Various staff networks and resources are available to support personal and professional wellbeing for all employees.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Imperial College London is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristics. The institution encourages applications from all qualified individuals who share its commitment to excellence in research and education.

Remote Work Policy

This position operates on a hybrid work model based at the White City Campus. Successful candidates will benefit from Imperial’s flexible working policy, allowing for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work arrangements. The institution provides the necessary tools and support to ensure productivity regardless of work location.

Application Process

The specific application process details are not provided in the job listing. However, interested candidates should:

1. Review the complete job description and requirements thoroughly
2. Prepare a resume/CV highlighting relevant software development experience
3. Submit application materials through the official Imperial College London jobs portal
4. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development in research contexts

Application Deadline

Applications for this Research Software Engineer position must be submitted by June 5, 2025.

How to Apply

To apply for this Research Software Engineer position, please visit the Imperial College London jobs portal and follow the application instructions.

For further details about the role, interested candidates can contact Dr. Diego Alonso Álvarez, Head of Research Software Engineering, at d.alonso-alvarez@imperil.ac.uk.

Additional Information

• This is a full-time, fixed-term role for 24 months
• There are 2 positions available
• The role is based at the White City Campus with hybrid working arrangements
• The RSE Team is supported by the resources of the ICT division and works in collaboration with the academic research community

Joining Imperial College London’s Research Software Engineering Team offers a unique opportunity to apply your software development skills to meaningful research challenges while working in a supportive and innovative environment. If you’re passionate about creating high-quality software that accelerates scientific discovery, this could be your ideal next career move.

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