Senior Research Software Engineer for Digital systems for sustainability science

Karlstad University; Leiden; On-site; EUR 39,573 - 61,804; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Karlstad University in Leiden is seeking a Senior Research Software Engineer to enhance the digital infrastructure for sustainability science. The role involves leading a team to develop standards, manage data, and ensure reproducibility in research.

Successful candidates will have a PhD and expertise in Python, along with significant experience in software development architecture and data governance. The university offers a flexible working environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• PhD in computer science, software engineering, environmental informatics, AI, or related field.
• Strong Python skills; additional languages/stack knowledge is a plus.
• Experience in system administration for research or data-intensive environments.

Responsibilities

• Own technical roadmap for software and data ecosystem.
• Design and operate research platforms & infrastructure.
• Define and implement software engineering protocols.

Skills

Python skills

System administration

Software development architecture

Data governance

Excellent communication skills

Education

PhD in computer science or related field

Tools

Service design

APIs

Database administration

Job description

Senior Research Software Engineer for Digital systems for sustainability science

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Applying is possible up to and including: 31 december 2026.

The Institute of Environmental Science CML at Leiden University is looking for a Senior Research Software Engineer with a research systems and infrastructure profile. You will play a central role in developing and maintaining the digital infrastructure powering CML’s work in industrial ecology, sustainability assessment, and circular economy.

You will have freedom to shape a research infrastructure strategy with the support of a Junior RSE and in collaboration with the scientific staff of the institute. This includes making foundational decisions about software architecture, computing and storage environments, cloud/hybrid setups, security, and long-term data governance.

Beyond technical leadership, you will help define institute-wide standards for reproducibility, collaborate closely with researchers to translate scientific needs into scalable solutions, and contribute to project acquisition through grant writing and collaborative proposals. You will architect robust platforms and workflows that enable transparent, reproducible, and high-performance environmental research—supporting not just individual projects, but the institute’s long-term digital vision.

What you will do

In your role, you will work closely with a Junior Research Software Engineer, Principal Investigators and PhDs to strengthen the scientific software engineering basis of our institute. Specifically, you will be responsible for tasks such as:

• Owning the technical roadmap for CML’s software and data ecosystem: architecture, standards, and long-term sustainability.
• Designing and operating research platforms & infrastructure.
• Defining and implementing institute-wide software engineering and data management protocols for FAIR, metadata, documentation, versioning, licensing, and release processes.
• Leading reproducible computational pipelines (workflow engines, packaging, CI/CD).
• Mentoring junior developers/researchers and running code reviews and technical design reviews.
• Expanding collaborations with the Institute of Computer Science of Leiden University (LIACS) and other university initiatives on research software and data.
• Advising on and supporting computing & storage solutions; liaise with central IT, LIACS, and faculty services, as well as Surf and e-Science center.
• Contributing to project acquisition: help develop grant proposals, technical work packages, budgets, and risk & data management plans.

Where you will work

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff.

The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.

The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 150 FTE (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML.

Qualifications

• A PhD in computer science, software engineering, environmental informatics, AI, or a closely related field.
• Strong Python skills; additional languages/stack knowledge is a plus.
• Experience in system administration / platform engineering for research or data-intensive environments.
• Experience with software development architecture (service design, APIs, observability, reliability).
• Expertise in data governance and FAIR practices.
• Knowledge of database administration, data catalogs, and metadata standards.
• Excellent communication skills and commitment to open science, documentation, and reproducibility.
• Experience with grant writing and technical leadership in projects.

What we offer

• The opportunity to shape CML’s long-term digital and computational strategy with real institute-wide impact.
• A collaborative academic setting with the freedom to make fundamental technical decisions.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities, including publications on digital solutions for sustainability.
• Close collaboration with the Computer Science Institute of Leiden University (LIACS) and access to university-wide networks on research software and data management.
• An internationally diverse and welcoming team focused on sustainability challenges.
• An initial one-year contract, with an option to extend to a permanent contract based on performance, following the pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from €3,546 to €5,538 gross per month based on a full-time position.
• Full-time position (38 hours per week) with 232 vacation hours per year (30.5 vacation days based on a 38-hour work week). You may adjust your working hours within flexible options.
• Comprehensive benefits package including holiday allowance (8%), end-of-year bonus (8.3%), pension scheme with ABP, options for secondary employment conditions such as sabbaticals, paid parental leave, and the individual choices model for benefits.
• Hybrid working options and home-working allowance, including laptop and support for a comfortable home office.

At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality, visit https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/dossiers/diversity.

Female researchers are also welcome to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty of Science (rise.nu).

Application process: Please submit your application via the online recruitment system. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure you upload the following additional documents, quoting the vacancy number: names and contact details of at least two referees.

Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis until the suitable candidate has been found. All candidates will participate in two rounds of interviews.