Urban Observatory Software Engineer

Newcastle University; North East; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Software Engineer to support their Urban Observatory team. You will manage Linux servers, develop data processing pipelines, and collaborate on research projects. Ideal candidates must have expertise in Linux management, PostgreSQL, and Python. This role offers competitive salary and benefits, along with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience with Linux server management (preferably Ubuntu).
• Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL database design.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain Linux-based servers used for data collection.
• Develop and maintain Python-based data processing pipelines.
• Collaborate with researchers to understand project requirements.

Skills

Linux server management

PostgreSQL database design

Python programming

Web development

Version control (Git)

Communication

Project management

Education

PhD in relevant area

Tools

Docker

Job description

Overview

Salary: £35,608 to £37,694 per annum. Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits including a generous holiday package, the opportunity to buy more holiday, great pension schemes and health and wellbeing initiatives. Closing Date: 14 October 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful urban research that informs policy and improves lives. You’ll be part of a vibrant academic community, with access to professional development opportunities and the chance to work on diverse, real-world challenges.

This position plays the pivotal role in the running and development of the Urban Observatory (UO) infrastructure and is critical in sustaining a nationally and internationally unique research facility. The UO underpins a wide range of high-impact, externally funded projects such as the Edge-AI Hub and the DARe Hub, which rely on robust, scalable, and secure data infrastructure. The post ensures the continuous operation, development, and innovation of this infrastructure, enabling real-time urban data collection, processing, and dissemination. Moreover, the UO supports long-term strategic partnerships with city and local authorities, providing essential data and insights that inform urban planning, sustainability, and policy decisions. Without dedicated technical management, the continuity and success of these collaborations and research outputs would be at significant risk.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Software Engineer and researcher to join our interdisciplinary Urban Observatory team. This role is central to supporting a range of cutting-edge research projects that leverage urban data to understand and improve city life. You will work closely with researchers, data scientists, and external partners to develop and maintain robust software systems that underpin our data infrastructure and user-facing applications.

To find out more, Philip James (Professor of Data Science) at # role is fixed term for a period of 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain Linux-based servers (primarily Ubuntu) used for data collection, processing, and storage
• Design, implement, and maintain PostgreSQL databases, ensuring data integrity, performance, and scalability
• Develop and maintain Python-based data processing pipelines and backend services
• Build and enhance web applications and user interfaces for data visualization and interaction
• Collaborate with researchers to understand project requirements and translate them into technical solutions
• Ensure software systems are well-documented, version-controlled, and maintainable
• Support the deployment and monitoring of software in production environments
• Collaborate on a range of research projects and the production of research outputs
• Contribute to a flexible, collaborative, and innovative research environment

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience with Linux server management (preferably Ubuntu)
• Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL database design, management, and optimization
• Proficiency in Python for software development and data processing
• Experience with web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and modern web UI frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js, or similar)
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects in a flexible and dynamic research environment
• A PhD or other research or relevant experience

Desirable Skills

• Experience with containerization tools (e.g., Docker)
• Familiarity with RESTful APIs and microservices architecture
• Knowledge of data visualization libraries or platforms
• Experience working in academic or research settings

Qualifications

• Fully completed and awarded PhD in relevant area

About Newcastle University and Diversity

Newcastle University is a global university where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. We hold a silver Athena Swan award for the advancement of gender equality and a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education (REC). We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. We are also a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 28576