Research Software Engineer (Research Associate)

19907BR

School of Physics & Astronomy

Research

Research Software Engineer (Research Associate)

Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy

We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly-motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities who will work as a Research Software Engineer with the Gravity Exploration Institute at Cardiff University (http://www.astro.cardiff.ac.uk/research/gravity/). This post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to our understanding of the Universe through the observation of gravitational waves, through collaboration with researchers at Cardiff, throughout the UK and internationally in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The primary role will be to design and prototype algorithms and digital infrastructure in support of development of the next generation of ground-based gravitational-wave observatories due to come online in the 2030s. Particular focus will be on designing database applications to collect and archive astrophysical event information. The applicant will be expected to collaborate closely with RSEs in the UK within the UKRI next-generation gravitational-wave observatory network Infrastructure Fund, and globally within the Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope consortia.

Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant area of computational physical science, or have equivalent relevant industrial experience, and must have demonstrable software engineering skills that support high-throughput and high-performance research activities.

This post is full time, available immediately and is fixed term for 1 year.

Salary: £40,497 - £45,413 per annum (Grade 6)

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr. Duncan Macleod (MacleodDM@cardiff.ac.uk)

For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy please contact PhysicsHR@cardiff.ac.uk

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 18166BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance 19907BR.

Date Advertised: 25 March 2025

Closing date: 22 April 2025

Cardiff University and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds. We strongly welcome female applicants and those from any ethnic minority group, as they are underrepresented in our School. The School of Physics & Astronomy has a Juno Champion accreditation and an Athena SWAN Silver award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women and other minorities working in science. The University is committed to ensuring that we sustain a positive working environment for all staff to flourish and achieve. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of procedures to support staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. Applications are welcome from individuals who wish to work part-time or full time.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. We very much welcome applications in Welsh.

Job Description

Main function

Combines expertise in programming with a detailed understanding of research in gravitational physics to translate research needs into digital infrastructure in support of next-generation gravitational-wave observatory network – either by porting existing code or designing and developing new software from scratch – and carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support, leading small scale project activities and supporting the development of research grant applications in gravitational physics and astrophysics. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Undertake the development and implementation of high quality reusable software and techniques for high performance computing and data-analysis to support research projects within gravitational physics
• Conduct and support research activities in gravitational physics and contribute to the overall performance of the School, University and wider next-generation gravitational-wave observatory network project
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• Undertake administrative tasks associated with research projects, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• Undertake performance analysis and the interpretation of domain specific results from computational simulations.
• Prepare thorough working plans showing activity, delivery of outputs and monitoring details for proposed projects.
• Assist researchers in preparing papers for publication in refereed journals and applications for research grants. Identify and pursue registration of intellectual property (IP) where appropriate, with support of institutional IP specialists.
• Prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• Review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• Prepare reports on a quarterly basis showing progress of domain specific activities, particularly collaborative software development projects, which make a contribution to the next-generation gravitational-wave observatory network against planned targets, outputs and finance.
  
  

• Build and create networks both internally within the School, across Cardiff University, and across the UK through the next-generation gravitational-wave observatory project, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of the next-generation gravitational-wave observatory network and associated collaborative research projects.
• Engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness and the profile both of the next-generational gravitational-wave observatory network project and the School to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of relevant activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the next-generational gravitational-wave observatory network project and the School to enhance their regional and national profiles.
• Participate wherever appropriate in School research activities.
  
  

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or substantial progress towards the award of a PhD) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
  
  

• Substantial knowledge and experience of programming skills and software engineering techniques to support digital infrastructure research activities in gravitational physics, with specific knowledge of database technologies
• An established expertise and portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
• Database technologies
• Analysis of large/complex data sets
• High-performance/high-throughput computing
• Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field
• Proven ability to publish in national journals, providing support to research teams with preparing papers resulting in publications
• Ability to understand and apply for competitive research funding, providing support to research teams with their applications
  
  

• Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
• Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
  
  

• Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
  
  

• Relevant professional qualification(s)
• Evidence of collaborations with industry
• Proven ability to work without close supervision
• Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community
• Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School and UK gravitational physics
• A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration
  
  

• Support wider next-generational gravitational-wave observatory network project development by supporting domain specific research users in engaging with the project, for example liaising with them to prepare detailed programmes of work, monitor progress of project activities and to collect evidence for the delivery of targets and outputs.
• Carry out a range of duties at a strategic and technical level involving visiting other next-generational gravitational-wave observatory network partners, attendance at events, presenting at conferences and meetings, hosting visits and giving advice on activities of value to the project and/or the University.
• Liaise with academic and other staff within the University and other stakeholders in order to ensure consistency and accuracy in the monitoring, reporting and evidence gathering aspects of digital infrastructure development projects.
• Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• Participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.