Research Software and Data Engineer

Are you a numerate software engineer looking to contribute to the UK’s response to the climate emergency? The UK Earth Observation Climate Information Service (EOCIS), led from the University of Reading, is recruiting a research software and data engineer to help create and distribute new climate information data products derived from on Earth Observation data. Climate information is an important tool in responding to climate change, in science, policymaking and business. EOCIS brings together UK expertise in Earth Observation to create and make available high quality, trustworthy climate information based on measurements of Earth’s environments from space.

This post will contribute to the design, development and deployment of an online platform for visualising and distributing climate information at scale. EOCIS involves 14 UK institutions and many international contacts, and the post will involve broad collaboration. Demand for Earth observation data and skills is increasing in part because of the need to respond to environmental challenges.

You will:

• Help to design and build EOCIS data access capability, working with partners
• Develop software based on sound data engineering and data science principles, and integrating with national digital infrastructure developments
• Deploy and manage the EOCIS access platform
• Document procedures for maintaining and managing the access platform
• Liaising with and collecting feedback from EOCIS users

You will have:

• A degree in a numerate discipline or equivalent software development experience
• Solid skills and experience in programming in Python 3 (with numpy, xarray, or similar)
• Experience developing data products or data visualisations 
• Experience with writing software tests and a good grasp of software engineering principles
• Good communications and problem-solving skills
• Experience in using the Linux operating system

This role will be suited to candidates with experience of, or an interest in learning about, climate science and Earth Observation.
The post holder will work within the world-class Department of Meteorology of the University of Reading, as part of an established team of scientists and a software specialist who undertake a range of research in applying thermal remote sensing to climate change challenges.

Interview date - 27 April 

Informal contact details

Contact role: EOCIS Project Lead

Contact name: Prof. Chris Merchant

Contact phone: +44 118 378 7335

Contact email: c.j.merchant@reading.ac.uk

Alternative informal contact details

Contact role: Data Access Lead EOCIS

Contact name:Dr. Niall McCarroll

Contact phone: N/A

Contact email:n.f.mccarroll@reading.ac.uk

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route.  Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS.  There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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