Senior Research Software Engineer (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term contract, full-time: until 31 January 2026, subject to renewal.

The 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.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaboratively develop, test and deliver high-quality working software
• Range of full-stack development work
• Project leadership - build consensus and take accountability for delivering product features
• Line management and mentoring of a small team of Junior Software Engineers and Research Assistants
• Ownership of processes and code quality assurance
• Input into strategic planning over the lifetime of the product
• Championing systems and process improvement
• Proactive management of security risks and data protection compliance; input into policy
• Representing the technical team to colleagues and stakeholders across other departments and organisations

We 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.

Requirements

Candidates 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 tool. 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.

Benefits

• 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

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Alastair.Beresford@cst.cam.ac.uk.

Click the 'Apply' button above to register an account with our recruitment system and apply online.

Please provide a CV and a covering letter detailing your previous project experience with reference to the above criteria, and the names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with their work.

Please quote reference NR44004 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University 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.

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