Research Software Engineer - Grade 7 and Grade 8 available
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
Based within the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and working closely with Research Computing as a Service (RCaaS) teams, make a leading contribution to the creation and delivery of world changing research by applying digital and scientific expertise to provide data driven solutions which can be applied to research questions and challenges. The appointed candidates will work with the researchers and the experts at the Centre for Data Science and AI and RCaaS in order to support the research projects that contribute data driven solution to the grand challenges that are aligned with the visions of the centre and within the six key Data Science and AI areas; Health and Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Economics, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Innovation and Impact, and the Science of Data Science and AI.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Grade 7:
- Collaborate with research colleagues, acting as a scientific partner to develop and maintain high-quality, well-tested software as a research tool or output, with software development projects running from multiple months to many years.
- Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support the Centre for Data Science and AI and RCaaS, and the research software engineering strategy and core research outputs of the University of Glasgow.
- Present, disseminate and explain the team’s work through presentations, reports and well-documented software packages.
- Develop and maintain relationships with research colleagues to lobby and evangelise for better software practices and to encourage and enhance a community of practice for research software engineering.
- Develop and deliver training to research colleagues to support the development of computational and software engineering skills in the academic community.
- Undertake knowledge transfer within the team and appropriate venues including training programmes, tutorials, hackathons and data study groups.
- Support and contribute to open research, such as by applying FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles of research data and tools, within the Centre
- Develop and enhance the profile and reputation of self, the Centre for Data Science and AI, RCaaS, and the University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of making a specialist contribution to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
- Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.
Grade 8:
- Initiate, maintain, and co-lead collaborative research projects within research community, acting as a scientific partner to develop and maintain high-quality, well-tested software as a research tool or output, with software development projects.
- Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs) to make a leading contribution to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support the Centre for Data Science and AI and RCaaS, and the research software engineering strategy and core research outputs of the University of Glasgow.
- Present, disseminate and explain the team’s work through presentations, reports and well-documented software packages.
- Develop and maintain relationships with research colleagues to lobby and evangelise for better software practices and play a leading role in the development of the community of practice and broadening outreach efforts for research software engineering best practices, taking distinct responsibility for leading significant strands of the community of practice.
- Develop and deliver training to research colleagues to support the development of computational and software engineering skills in the academic community.
- Undertake knowledge transfer within the team and appropriate external colleagues such as those within the University’s Shared Research Facilities and the RCaaS group in appropriate venues including training programmes, tutorials, hackathons and data study groups.
- Advise on and develop plans to enable research colleagues to use high-performance computing facilities in the Schools, College, University and wider computing centres.
- Support and contribute to open research, such as by applying FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles of research data and tools, within the Centre.
- Develop and enhance the profile and reputation of self, the Centre for Data Science and AI, RCaaS, and the University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of making a specialist contribution to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
- Support the Centre for Data Science and AI, Research Software Engineering Lead and wider RCaaS group by playing a leading role in aspects of project management.
- Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.
Knowledge and Qualifications
Grade 7 Essential:
- Postgraduate qualification SCQF level 12 (PhD) in a related Computer Science, Engineering or STEM subject or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role.
- Excellent knowledge of applying state-of-the-art and novel data science and AI techniques emerging from research teams and elsewhere.
- Breadth and/or depth of knowledge of programming languages (including Python, R, C++, Java, Julia, C), frameworks, platforms and tools, high performance computing and cloud platforms to realise collaborators' data science and AI research at scale.
- Knowledge of software development practices for research including collaborative environments with multiple access, version control, issue tracking, testing and documentation.
Grade 7 Desirable:
- Knowledge of best practice approaches to support research colleagues with the use of secure high performance computing environments for advanced research.
- Knowledge of scaling and optimising software to take advantage of GPU / HPC infrastructure.
Grade 8 Essential:
- Postgraduate qualification SCQF level 12(PhD) in a related Computer Science, Engineering or STEM subject or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role with a growing reputation in research.
- Excellent knowledge of applying state-of-the-art and novel data science and AI techniques emerging from research teams and elsewhere.
- Breadth and/or depth of knowledge of programming languages (including Python, R, C++, Java, Julia, C), frameworks, platforms and tools, high performance computing and cloud platforms to realise collaborators' data science and AI research at scale.
- Expert knowledge of software development practices for research and innovation including environments with multiple access, version control, issue tracking, testing and documentation.
- Extensive knowledge of best practice approaches to support research colleagues with the use of secure high performance computing environments for advanced research.
- Knowledge of scaling and optimising software to take advantage of GPU / HPC infrastructure.
Grade 8 Desirable:
- Knowledge of Trusted Research Environments out with or within an HPC environment.
Skills
Grade 7 Essential:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information, and to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and in cross collaboration with other teams as required by the role.
- Ability to build relationships and research collaborations within an organisation and wider community.
- Ability to take a proactive approach to managing stakeholders and their requirements and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
Grade 8 Essential:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information, and to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and in cross collaboration with other teams as required by the role.
- Ability to build relationships and research collaborations within an organisation and wider community.
- Ability to take a proactive approach to managing stakeholders and their requirements and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
- Ability to negotiate and influence others.
- Ability to think strategically and lead on a particular project or area of research in collaboration with PIs.
- Ability to provide technical project management and leadership for multiple concurrent projects, through workload management skills with proven ability to prioritise demands and meet deadlines.
Experience
Grade 7 Essential:
- Research experience aligned to the goals of at least one of the Centre for Data Science and AI’s programmes with commensurate output.
- Experience in machine learning and AI, including experience in machine learning software development.
- Experience in training deep learning models in research projects at scale.
- Experience of applying good software engineering practices including but not limited to devising and applying rigorous testing methods.
Grade 7 Desirable:
- Experience working with large datasets.
- Experience of working on large software projects involving multiple developers and/or use of version control systems such as GitHub.
- Experience of providing teaching and training of computational material, including introductory-level skills to those with minimal previous exposure.
Grade 8 Essential:
- Substantial research experience aligned to the goals of at least one of the Centre for Data Science and AI’s with commensurate output.
- Substantial experience in machine learning and AI, including experience in machine learning software development.
- Experience in training deep learning models relevant in research projects at scale.
- Experience of applying good software engineering practices including but not limited to devising and applying rigorous testing methods.
- Evidence of high-quality publications commensurate with career stage.
- Experience of collaborating with proven experience in providing technical project management and leadership for multiple research or software projects, ensuring successful research outcomes.
- Experience overseeing and supervising more junior colleagues.
- Extensive experience working with large datasets.
- Experience of version control systems such as GitHub.
- Experience in running hackathons, data study groups, software upskilling tutorials or similar events.
Grade 8 Desirable:
- Experience of working on large software projects involving multiple developers.
- Experience of providing teaching and training of computational material, including introductory-level skills to those with minimal previous exposure.
How to apply
Full details of both roles and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for both vacancies are 31 March 2026.
Terms & Conditions for Grade 8:
Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and is fixed term for up to 3 years in the first instance. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team (for both vacancies), you can expect:
A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook, benefits and discount packages.
A flexible approach to working.
A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community by clicking here.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website [https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/] for more information.
World-Changing Campus
We have delivered one of the most significant expansions of a UK university city campus for over a century.
Over the last decade, the University of Glasgow has invested in its estate to expand its world-class campus and facilities.
An area covering 14 acres of land next to our magnificent Gilmorehill campus has been redeveloped to build a mix of modern research, teaching and public spaces.
Our new buildings will mean the University remains a centre for world-changing research, as well as a vibrant community hub and centre for public engagement.
The development will transform our teaching, learning and research spaces. It will allow us to bring together the best minds of today and tomorrow within world-class interdisciplinary research spaces that offer flexibility and stimulate collaboration, and modern study spaces that will combine study and social learning space with technology enabled teaching.
- The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is changing the way research is conducted at Glasgow. The ARC is the creative and collaborative heart of research at the University of Glasgow, bridging the boundaries between research, cross-subject collaboration and true societal impact . The ARC brings more than 500 world-leading researchers from a range of disciplines together in a building specifically designed to break down organisational structure and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
- The James McCune Smith Learning Hub is an inspirational and diverse learning space. The flagship building was the first to be completed as part of our campus development, and provides a creative environment, combining flexible study and social learning space with multi-styled and technology-enabled teaching. It can accommodate more than 2,500 students, and includes a lecture theatre with capacity for 500 students. State-of-the-art teaching facilities, with flexible study spaces and interactive teaching for students, help to create a more immersive learning experience.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created a guide to aide you in the decision making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability