Research Software Engineer

Society of Research Software Engineering; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Society of Research Software Engineering seeks a Research Software Engineer to enhance the PPMI group's fusion power plant modelling capabilities. Responsibilities include software development and collaboration with scientists, requiring strong technical skills in programming and project management. This role offers an opportunity to impact the future of fusion energy designs through innovative software solutions.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field; PhD or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience developing software in scientific applications.
• Familiarity with software development best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for the PPMI project and contribute to shared planning.
• Work with scientists/engineers to assess project requirements.
• Create high-quality software for reliable research.

Skills

Development in Python

Version control

Software testing

Data analysis

Education

Degree in a scientific, engineering or technical subject

PhD or equivalent experience

Tools

Git

Linux systems

Job description

The Power Plant Modelling and Integration Group (PPMI) is responsible for integrated fusion power plant design. We develop and exploit the power plant modelling software PROCESS and BLUEMIRA to influence decision-making on the UK STEP and EUROfusion EU-DEMO design programmes. The PPMI focuses on high-level integrated modelling of feasible fusion power plant designs, and the PROCESS and BLUEMIRA codes use reduced physics and engineering models to explore various reactor designs and optimise them for key metrics.

The role of Research Software Engineer is to develop and support the modelling capability for the PPMI group’s fusion power plant design codes for UKAEA. We focus on balancing the demands between science and engineering domain experts and design programme performance requirements as well as providing expertise including advice and training. The Research Software Engineer will be able to shape the tools being used whilst gaining a holistic view of the interdisciplinary challenges faced in a highly integrated physics and engineering project.

What will you be responsible for?

1. Developing PPMI software as part of the technology programme at UKAEA.
2. Contributing to the PPMI software team by participating in shared planning, problem solving and reviews, sharing knowledge and helping both internal and external colleagues.
3. Working with scientists and engineers to understand project requirements and identifying areas for collaboration.
4. Creating high-quality software for reproducible, trusted research that impacts decision-making of power plant design programmes.
5. Engaging with the research and RSE community to communicate developments and learn from others.

Qualifications:

• Degree in a scientific, engineering or technical subject + PhD or experience working in an academic or industrial research environment.
• Demonstrable experience of developing software in at least one language used in scientific or engineering applications (e.g. Python, Fortran).
• Familiarity with good development practices such as version control and software testing.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and experience of writing software for use by others.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate well on projects.

Desirable:

• Any of the research or technology disciplines related to UKAEA’s activities.
• Computational modelling and numerical simulation.
• Data analysis and visualization.
• Working knowledge of developing and deploying software on Linux platforms.
• Familiarity with some relevant technologies: Git, Gitlab/Github, automated testing & CI, build systems, packaging, containerisation.
• Experience of working with existing codebases and legacy scientific languages.
• Using scientific computing platforms such as compute clusters, HPC or cloud systems.
• Involvement in the RSE community and/or experience of giving talks, training or helping to run events.