Research Software Engineer / Senior Research Software Engineer

About us:

King’s Digital Lab is a Research Software Engineering (RSE) team embedded within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at King’s College London. We design and implement systems, infrastructure, tools, and processes needed to produce a heterogeneous range of high quality digital scholarly outputs. 

About the role:

Your main responsibility is to develop high-quality code to support product specifications and requirements in collaboration with research leads and the RSE team. You will have expertise in at least one programming language and proficiency in others, along with a keen interest in software development. Your role involves producing research solutions, from algorithms to web applications; you may have specialised skills in areas such as immersive/XR, machine learning, devops, or web development.

You will be offered a full-time indefinite contract

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Expertise with modern web development stacks (Python/Django, JavaScript/TypeScript/Node.js, containerisation, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms) and ability to write performant, maintainable, well-tested code following best practices.
• Experience of making well‑reasoned technical decisions in design, architecture, and development, using appropriate technologies and methodologies. Senior RSE: Advanced skills enabling responsibility for complex technical decisions and technical direction within a project or service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to handle complex, novel research challenges, with flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced research environment with changing requirements.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, including an inclusive approach, supporting a positive and open team culture and enabling effective collaboration with researchers and team members; Senior RSE: including ability to guide/mentor others.
• Skills in data modelling for database design for research applications, ensuring flexible, extensible data schemas.
• Motivation for learning and adopting new technologies when appropriate.
• Understanding of accessibility, security, privacy, and other critical concerns for research apps.
• Senior RSE: Advanced proficiency, alongside the ability to provide effective and inclusive leadership, strategic perspective and to advocate for quality in architecture/code.

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of agile software methodologies and experience leading or participating in sprints/timeboxes.
• Experience contributing to training, workshops, or knowledge-sharing activities related to software engineering practices, advanced research methods, technical tools, design approaches or accessibility.
• Knowledge of or experience working in digital humanities, social sciences, or research development within higher education or cultural heritage contexts.
• Experience with composable architectures (e.g. Jamstack), static web development, progressive enhancement and/or minimal computing.
• Knowledge of/experience with tools and practices related to one or more KDL’s priority Research Themes, such as:

1. Machine learning: methods and how to responsibly apply in applications.
2. Data visualisation: methods and techniques to enhance access to complex datasets.
3. Digital Creativity: immersive/XR tools such as real time engines (e.g. Godot/Unity/Unreal), WebXR libraries (e.g. three.js,) and 3D modelling tools (e.g. Blender, Maya.)
4. Indigenous Digital Humanities: approaches and considerations appropriate for working in a range of cultural contexts and/or with culturally sensitive data.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

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