Senior Research Software Engineer (Female Identified Position)

Professional; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 124,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Inclusive culture

On-site amenities

17% superannuation

Job summary

Australian National University (ANU) ACCESS‑NRI invites applications for a Senior Research Software Engineer. The role blends maintenance with developing new capabilities in a cross‑disciplinary climate modelling context, interacting with researchers, data stewards, software engineers and infrastructure specialists.

You will contribute to Linux/HPC software practices, version control, testing, and publication workflows, while upholding a safe, inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Experience developing research software in Linux on high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Experience with Git/GitHub and software testing and publication processes.
• Strong understanding of physics in Atmosphere, Land Surface, and Regional and Coastal Ocean modelling.
• Commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing support and maintenance alongside development of new capabilities and longer-term projects.
• Collaborate with researchers, data stewards, software engineers and infrastructure specialists across diverse technical backgrounds.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, flexibility, and ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.

Skills

Curious mindset

Physics understanding

HPC software development

Git/GitHub

Testing practices

Diversity & inclusion

Tools

Linux

HPC environments

Job description

Senior Research Software Engineer (Female Identified Position)

Professional – Canberra ACT

$124,392 - $133,017 a year

Contract

Hybrid

7d ago , from Australian National University

Classification: ANU Officer 8 (Specialist)
Salary package: $124,392 - $133,017 per annum, plus 17% superannuation
Terms: Full time, Fixed term (up to 30 June 2028)

In 1946, ANU was founded to help rebuild a changing world. We’re still at it, 80 years later. For generations, our people have turned curiosity into ideas that have shaped Australia and our region. Learn more about ANU, our history and the community that has shaped us:ANU at 80

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

Classification: ANU Officer 8 (Specialist)
Salary package: $124,392 - $133,017 per annum, plus 17% superannuation
Terms: Full time, Fixed term (up to 30 June 2028)

In 1946, ANU was founded to help rebuild a changing world. We’re still at it, 80 years later. For generations, our people have turned curiosity into ideas that have shaped Australia and our region. Learn more about ANU, our history and the community that has shaped us:ANU at 80

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

The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special measure and is aimed at increasing employment opportunities for women in the workplace where women have been, and continue to be, underrepresented.

About Us

ACCESS-NRI, Australia’s climate simulator, delivers world‑class computer simulations for climate, weather and Earth systems, specifically designed for Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. ACCESS-NRI is a collaborative venture between Government agencies, partner Universities and the Australian research community to support development, maintenance and access to the national climate and weather models for researchers and decision makers. ACCESS-NRI is enabled by Australian Government investment through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Hosted at ANU, ACCESS-NRI aims to understand and predict Australia’s climate and weather to provide information that can be used to safeguard Australia’s future.

At the heart of ACCESS is a community of Research Software Engineers with a range of skills including high‑performance computing and data (HPCD), climate and Earth system model development, advanced visualisation, model optimisation, software management best practices, model evaluation and data management. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of Earth system models, climate change and high‑performance computing and data to help address major challenges facing society.

ACCESS-NRI provides a supportive and enriching workplace for its staff through its strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing initiatives.

The Role

The roles combine ongoing support and maintenance with the development of new capabilities and longer‑term projects. You will work closely with researchers, data stewards, software engineers and infrastructure specialists across a diverse range of technical and non‑technical backgrounds. Strong collaboration, communication and organisational skills are therefore essential. We are looking for someone with attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and approaches. Experience with a specific skillset is less important than curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to contribute across a collaborative and cross‑disciplinary environment.

ACCESS‑NRI offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of climate science and research software engineering, with strong support for professional development and opportunities to broaden your skills across both domains.

What you'll bring:

• A curious mindset and a genuine drive to help others.
• Strong understanding of the underlying physics, with expertise in one or more of the following: Atmosphere, Land Surface and Regional and Coastal Ocean modelling
• Experience developing research software in Linux on high‑performance computing (HPC) environments, following best practices for software development, version control (e.g., Git/GitHub), testing and publication.
• Commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace that values diversity, equity and inclusion.

The examples above are a guide only and are not the formal selection criteria. Applicants should address the Selection Criteria in the Position Description, drawing on their relevant skills, experience and transferable knowledge.

You are not expected to meet every criterion. We encourage applications from people with relevant or transferable skills and experience who are excited by the opportunity to support innovative research and advance climate modelling.

For further information, please contact Heidi Nettelbeck (Atmosphere Team Lead): ***************@anu.edu.au, Claire Carouge (Land Surface Team Lead): **************@anu.edu.au or Helen Macdonald (Regional and Coastal Ocean Team Lead): ***************@anu.edu.au

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/diversity-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/diversity-inclusion.

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.