Research Software Engineer
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
Based within the School of Mathematics & Statistics and reporting to the RSE Lead in the University’s Research Computing as a Service (RCaaS) group, make a leading contribution to the creation and delivery of world changing research by applying digital and scientific expertise to provide data driven solutions for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded SenseH2O project, a collaboration between the University of Glasgow and the University of Stirling.
The project’s overall aim is to develop a scalable, low-cost systems-based approach for real-time water quality monitoring by integrating the latest sensor technologies with cybersecure communications, data pipelines powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and web-enabled data visualisation interfaces to deliver a solution that meets the needs of end-users across the water industry. The specific aims covered by this role will be the integration of various statistical and AI-driven modules into a robust analysis pipeline as well as the data visualisation aspect of the SenseH2O project.
Main duties & responsibilities
1. Lead the design, implementation and maintenance of high-quality research software that satisfies the SenseH2O project, while conforming with University policies and more general best practice (e.g. as advocated by the Software Sustainability Institute).
2. Develop and execute a research software strategy for the SenseH2O project, including identifying and prioritising development activities, determining suitable management of resources, and ensuring impact through open software avenues.
3. Lead in development, maintenance, and innovation in research software using industry-standard languages and frameworks such as (Python, R, C, C++, Java), and others.
4. Translate complex research requirements to suitable software solutions, reporting progress to relevant research stakeholders as appropriate.
5. Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of software designs, deployment, and standard operating procedures, ensuring the management, licensing, version control and deployment in suitable repositories of software outputs.
6. Provide leadership for the adoption of sector best-practices for the development of new research software including through the training and mentoring of staff.
7. Manage testing and quality assurance activities to ensure the reliability, security, and functionality of developed software, documenting test cases and results as needed.
8. Keep up to date with new developments in research software engineering as part of continuous professional development to enhance the support for both the SenseH2O project and wider college RSE efforts. This includes through engagement and membership within international groups, e.g. the Society of RSE.
9. Produce briefings, presentations and documents as required to keep the SenseH2Oproject stakeholders informed of progress.
Knowledge and qualifications
Essential
A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A2 Expert Knowledge of the challenges and issues associated with building high quality research software or performing software based computational research within a Engineering/Computer Science or related discipline
A3 Knowledge of a range of research programming languages and technologies such as Python, R, C, C++, Java, and web technologies, platforms and tools.
A4 Knowledge of development tools: code repositories (GitHub) and IDEs (VS Code, PyCharm, RStudio).
A5 Knowledge of database technologies: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, SQL. Proven expert knowledge of developing software applications.
A6 Comprehensive knowledge of modern data management and processing techniques including collaborative development of data management plans.
A7 Detailed knowledge of (research) software engineering workflows, e.g. version control, continuous integration, containerisation etc
A8 Knowledge of software licensing and effective promotion of software to generate impact.
Desirable
B1 A degree in Computing, Software Engineering, Computer Programming or Engineering programming.
B2 Knowledge of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards and geospatial data formats and technologies (geoJSON, geospatial APIs, Leaflet).
B3 Knowledge of digital accessibility requirements including WCAG standards.
B4 Knowledge of Cloud Computing (AWS or Microsoft Azure).
B5 Knowledge of front-end frameworks: e.g. Node.js, Vue.js, React, TypeScript.
B6 Knowledge of developing and implementing Web Services.
B7 Understanding of Trusted Research Environments.
B8 Knowledge of developing parallel software for high performance computing setups.
B9 Knowledge of DevOps including platforms such as GitHub or GitLab to manage projects, and continuous integration processes.
Skills
Essential
C1 Extensive software engineering skills gained over a substantial period, working at higher levels of complexity within research intensive environments.
C2 Proven technical problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with an expert ability to analyse complex requirements and design effective software solutions.
C3 Proficient in maintaining and manipulating datasets.
C4 Ability to deal with a large variety of end users with a range of technical knowledge including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements to design and develop software solutions.
C5 Ability to learn and adapt to changing technologies, policies/procedures and cyber threats.
C6 Excellent analytical skills with confidence to challenge and continually improve, diving into the detail as necessary to understand issues (people, process, and technology).
C7 Project management skills to lead technical service to meet and develop long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day to day service.
C8 Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating creative and innovative thinking and influencing senior members of an organisation.
C9 Ability to effectively teach and mentor both experts and non-experts in areas of software engineering best practice.
C10 Provide accurate estimations of costs, including time, budget and resource, for significant software efforts to aid in long term project planning.
Desirable
D1 Software deployment such as via containers, cloud setups, and high-performance computing as appropriate.
Experience
Essential
E1 Proven experience delivering sizable software projects in a (research) software engineering environment.
E2 Significant experience in developing and deploying fully functional applications using current programming languages while adhering to best practices and industry standards.
E3 Significant experience of testing and validation of software.
E4 Experience leading and managing software projects.
Desirable
F1 Prior experience of working in a university or Higher Education environment.
F2 Experience supporting application development for a variety of systems, e.g. Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS and hardware, e.g. GPU programming.
Campus development plan
Our Vision
Over the next 10 years, the major investment will expand our campus footprint by 25%, creating a new urban quarter with the University at the heart of a revitalised west end. This is the largest development since the creation of the original campus in 1870.
This is a unique opportunity for a University to extend the boundaries of its historic core in a central city location. It will create:
- New learning and teaching facilities
- Refurbishment and repurposing of existing iconic buildings for specialist uses
- Identification and design of social spaces that support the student and community experience.
The expansion of our Gilmorehill campus into the 14 acre, former Western Infirmary site will transform the West End of Glasgow. The Masterplan for the site will incorporate:
- New learning and teaching facilities supporting our students and making sure they get the best in modern teaching and learning styles and approaches
- Creation of a Research Hub, housing large-scale multidisciplinary projects and incubator space for spin out collaborations with industry. This will encourage further innovation development
- New public cycle and pedestrian routes and a new central square which will link Byres Road to the up-and-coming cultural quarter for the West End, with new links to Kelvingrove and the newly-refurbished Kelvin Hall
- Refurbishment of five listed buildings: The Chapel, the Outpatients building, the Macgregor building, the Tennent Institute and Anderson College
- Commercial opportunities, including a hotel, restaurant, bars and cafes
- The state of the art Learning and Teaching Hub adjacent to the Boyd Orr building on University Avenue will be completed next year.
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 two guides 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
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is 17 May 2026
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended with funding for up to 24 months in the first instance.
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, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
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 https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ 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.
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