Senior Research Software Engineer / Research Software Engineer

Job title:

Senior Research Software Engineer / Research Software Engineer

Company

University of Cambridge

Job description

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are currently available until 31 January 2026, subject to renewal. The project was first funded in 2013; we have successfully renewed our funding several times and we continue to be optimistic about the long-term funding prospects to support this post.We are looking to appoint a full-time Research Software Engineer to work on the Isaac online education platform, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The role involves designing, building and running an online platform to teach STEM subjects.The Isaac platform uses recent developments in web technology and computer-based educational techniques to improve physics, chemistry, biology, maths and computer science teaching in schools. Our online platform currently reaches tens of thousands of students and thousands of teachers; in peak periods we receive over 5 million question attempts a month. For further information see isaacphysics.org and adacomputerscience.org.The Isaac platform includes:delivery of material through written text, video and interactive simulations,diagnostic feedback for students through diverse interactive questions and problem solving,assessment for learning,models of student progress to recommend further teaching materials or exercises,feedback to improve content quality through usage analyses, andLLM integration to provide AI-guided feedback on short-free text answers.We use the platform to measure learning outcomes at scale, publish results in the academic literature and drive further innovation on our platform in an evidence-based way. By understanding the fundamentals, we aim to improve online learning outcomes not just on our platform but for society at large.We release all our software for this project under an open-source licence (see: ).The roleThe successful applicant will work with the Technical Director, Professor Alastair Beresford, as well as a dedicated six-person research and development team in the Department of Computer Science and Technology in Cambridge. You will also collaborate with the content and product teams at the Raspberry Pi Foundation and in the Department of Physics, and with groups of researchers across the broader EdTech and computing education research communities.You’ll need to have excellent programming and technical skills, an appetite to learn what you don’t know, and a commitment to make a difference for the young people who use our platform. Day-to-day activities will include researching and implementing new features and supporting junior members of the team.Key responsibilities:Collaboratively develop, test and deliver high-quality working softwareRange of full-stack development workProject leadership – build consensus and take accountability for delivering product featuresLine management and mentoring of a small team of Junior Software Engineers and Research AssistantsOwnership of processes and code quality assuranceInput into strategic planning over the lifetime of the productChampioning systems and process improvementProactive management of security risks and data protection compliance; input into policyShare knowledge with clear communication, technical credibility, and empathyRepresenting the technical team to colleagues and stakeholders across other departments and organisationsWe have a flexible and collaborative approach to all aspects of our work – if you have research, technical or other interests, we strive to make Isaac a supportive place for you to explore a broad range of projects. There will also be opportunities for teaching within the department, e.g. through tutoring undergraduates in small groups and assisting with practical assessment and marking.Click the ‘Apply’ button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.RequirementsCandidates will be considered at the Research Software Engineer and Senior Research Software Engineer levels, depending on experience. Advanced knowledge of Java or TypeScript is essential. The ability to adapt and select appropriate software, languages and tools is also important in this role. (For reference, we are currently working with React, Jetty, RestEasy, Docker, Git, PostgreSQL and ElasticSearch.) Previous experience managing or contributing to open source projects is an advantage but not a necessity. Candidates must be able to work independently, to direct and delegate to junior colleagues and collaborate with external partners as appropriate. We welcome applicants with a passion for EdTech, blended learning and/or computing education.BenefitsIn addition to a stimulating environment at a prestigious institution, we offer a range of benefits to all our colleagues, including:

• 41 days holiday inclusive of public holidays
• Membership of the generous USS career-average pension scheme
• Paid teaching opportunities at the University
• Opportunity to pursue research interests in the area
• The potential to undertake private consulting work or pursue other projects
• Investment in professional development through University programmes and funding for external courses
• Flexible work hours as needed, to fit around childcare or other commitments
• A rich and vibrant University community with many intra- and inter-Department activities throughout the year

We are flexible in our approach to in-person working with some colleagues regularly using our offices in Cambridge while others often work remotely. We use a combination of Google Meet, Trello, and Slack to facilitate blended working.Informal enquiries can be made by contacting .Click the ‘Apply’ button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.Please provide a CV and a covering letter detailing your previous project experience with reference to the above criteria. Candidates must provide the names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with their work. Interviews are expected to take place in January 2025. If you upload any additional documents which haven’t been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.If you have any queries about the application process please contact .Please quote reference NR44004 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.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.Further information

Expected salary

£34866 – 45163 per year

Location

Cambridge

Job date

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 03:40:44 GMT

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