Research Software Engineer – Geospatial Software Developer

University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a forward-thinking university for a Research Software Engineer specializing in Geospatial Software Development. Join an interdisciplinary team dedicated to enhancing environmental decision-making through innovative digital solutions. This role offers the chance to develop cutting-edge geospatial applications, collaborate with experts, and contribute to impactful projects that address climate change and public health. With a supportive environment and a commitment to flexible working, this position is perfect for those passionate about technology and its role in societal improvement.

Benefits

Market leading Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Exceptional annual leave entitlement

Paid closure over Christmas

Local and national retail discounts

Qualifications

• Expertise in GIS and geospatial software development is essential.
• Proficiency in developing geospatial web applications and databases required.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement software systems to meet research requirements.
• Collaborate with a diverse team to develop high-quality software.

Skills

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geospatial Software Development

Problem-solving

Software Engineering Concepts

Documentation Creation

Tools

ArcGIS JavaScript API

ArcGIS Runtime

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Desktop

PostGIS

ArcGIS Python API

ArcGIS Enterprise Suite

ArcGIS Server

ArcGIS GeoAnalytics Server

Job description

The University of Manchester has an exciting opportunity for a Research Software Engineer – Geospatial Software Developer with expertise and experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Software Development. You will join an interdisciplinary project team to help support the technical development of the £8m NERC funded Digital Solutions Programme.

NERC’s Digital Solutions programme, based at the University of Manchester, was created to develop innovative digital services that deliver economic, societal, and environmental benefits across the UK. Its purpose extends beyond purely academic use and the exploitation of existing data holdings. Our ethos is to build a Digital Solutions Hub as a gateway to a broad set of inter-connected toolkits that facilitate improved access and better use of NERC data. Providing easier access to NERC's environmental data offers opportunities for improving peoples' health and better understanding the impacts of climate change on people, land, and property across the UK. Initially we will focus on two areas 'A Connected Healthy Nation' and 'A Climate Ready Nation' as use cases.

The focus of the Digital Solutions Programme is to build a UK wide decision support system at the cutting edge of theory and practice, which will contribute to improvements in the overall quality of environmental decision making in public, private and third sector settings throughout the UK. Developing productive partnerships with policymakers and practitioners in a range of sectors, including social, economic, environmental and health will be a key objective for these posts.

What we are looking for

To be considered for this role you must have expertise in Geographic Information System (GIS) and GeoSpatial Software Development with demonstrable abilities in developing geospatial web applications using tools such as ArcGIS JavaScript API, ArcGIS Runtime. We require you to have expertise in ESRI desktop products, such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Desktop, including the development of desktop plugins for ArcGIS Pro and extensions/customisations in ArcGIS Desktop. In-depth knowledge of Geospatially enabled databases, preferably PostGIS, and proficiency in Geodatabase development including schema creation and table optimisation is essential. A comprehensive understanding and application of ArcGIS Services, OGC Services, and APIs and in-depth exposure to the ArcGIS Enterprise suite, including ArcGIS Server, Portal, ArcGIS Image Server, ArcGIS GeoAnalytics Server, ArcGIS Notebook Server, etc is also essential, as is proficiency in scripting using the ArcGIS Python API.

Purpose of the Role

As a Research Software Engineer working on this programme, you will collaborate with academics, post-doctoral researchers, software engineers and a broad user community, working closely with Programme Director Professor Richard Kingston. Your core responsibility involves designing, modifying, and implementing software systems to meet specific research requirements. You will identify and apply software engineering concepts to practical designs, offering development expertise, consultancy, and guidance.

The role encompasses software development, service development, problem solving for users, documentation creation, community building, software installation and configuration, maintaining licensing compliance, ensuring compatibility with current architectures, and the adherence to regulatory standards, industry regulations, and organisational policies.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• Engage in the development of high-quality software as a Full Stack software engineer with the additional expertise of Geospatial Software Engineering.
• Ability to work as a part of a team as well as on their own.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to solve problems with an engineering mindset rather than a developer mindset.
• Independently working on moderately complex systems and collaborating with colleagues on larger and more complex systems.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation using specified standards and tools.
• Develops and implements unit, integration, and system testing to ensure software quality, reliability, and security.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Richard Kingston

Email: [e-mail]

General enquiries:

Email: [e-mail]

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.