Research Software Engineer

Classification: ANU Officer 7 – 8 (Information Technology)
Salary package: $95,324 – $114,700 per annum, plus 17% superannuation
Term: Full-time (multiple roles), Continuing (Contingent Funded), until end of 2024, with possibility of extension.

• Flexible working arrangements to encourage a healthy work/life balance, including consideration of part-time roles.
• Exceptional workplace culture with a supportive, diverse and inclusive team.
• Great work location with world-class staff amenities including gyms, swimming pool, childcare centres, etc.
• Excellent remuneration and conditions, including 17% superannuation contributions, annual leave loading and a range of benefits

About us 

ACCESS – The Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator – is a collaborative venture between Government and the Australian research community to support development, maintenance and access to climate and weather models and data. 

Hosted at ANU, ACCESS-NRI (ACCESS National Research Infrastructure) is established as a multi-party collaborative venture responding to the current and future needs of Australia’s scientific, Government and stakeholder community.

At the heart of ACCESS is a community of Research Software Engineers with a range of skills including high performance computing, climate and Earth system model development, advanced visualisation, model optimisation, code repository management, machine learning, model evaluation and data science.

ACCESS-NRI provides a supportive and enriching workplace for its staff through its strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing initiatives. Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other people that will increase the diversity of the ACCESS community are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Role

We seek Research Software Engineers with knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Software development (including curation and maintenance of code repositories)
• DevOps (including experience with Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Development (CD) pipelines)
• Analysing and evaluating large data
• Data management
• Developing and delivering training materials

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of earth system models, climate change and high-performance computing to help address major challenges facing society.

The role of Research Software Engineer will have demonstrated experience in working as part of a software development team, attention to detail, flexibility, and ability to prioritise tasks to accomplish both short- and long-term goals. Ability to self-direct and learn new skills as needed matters more than knowledge of any specific software package, as does an interest and demonstrated aptitude for picking up new things and running with them. We are committed to an enriching work environment, and are prepared to invest in those we appoint, to develop skills that may be missing or enhance those you already possess. ACCESS-NRI represents a uniquely cross-disciplinary work environment that enables significant opportunities for broadening the skills and knowledge of those who choose to join us.

It is essential that you can work with others, contribute to varied projects as needed, and be able to balance ongoing maintenance and support with scoping and delivery of new projects and other longer-term deliverables. The role has a mixture of internal and external stakeholder engagement, with varied technical and non-technical backgrounds.

This advertisement is a broad call for applicants with skills and experience across any of these areas, with up to 3 appointments to be made at levels ANU Officer 7 and ANU Officer 8, dependent on the level of experience of candidates.

If this sounds like you, and you are excited to support innovative research and play an active role in making a difference in the field of climate modelling, then please get in touch to find out more about the position.  

Skills and Requirements 

Required:  

• Linux/Unix experience
• Software development and maintenance experience with modern version control systems (e.g., git and GitHub/GitLab)
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively across disciplines
• Self-learner, good listener, accountable and passionate about helping others as well as working in a collaborative team environment 
• Detail-oriented with an ability to handle multiple issues, tasks and competing priorities concurrently
• Remain up to date on latest trends and technologies
• Commitment to a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace environment

Desirable: 

• Scientific background
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines
• Experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, Fortran, C/C++, Julia, R)
• Experience working with geospatial data formats, standards and tools (e.g., GIS, Python)
• Research data management experience
• Database experience (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
• Web front-end, back-end, or full-stack development experience
• Experience developing and/or delivering technical training

For further information, please contact our team on E: [email protected]

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities at the ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-employment.

ANU values diversity and inclusion and believes employment opportunities must not be limited by socio-economic background, race, religion or gender. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion.

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least two referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position. Please note: The successful applicant must have rights to live and work in this country. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.