Senior Research Software Engineer for Digital systems for sustainability science

United States Digital Space LLC; Leiden; On-site; EUR 39,573 - 61,804; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative academic environment

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working options

Home-working allowance

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Senior Research Software Engineer in Leiden. The role involves developing digital infrastructure for sustainability science, shaping research strategies, and mentoring junior staff. We're looking for a PhD holder with strong Python skills and a background in software architecture and data governance.

This position offers the opportunity to have a significant impact on sustainability initiatives and to work in a collaborative academic setting.

Qualifications

• Strong Python skills; additional languages or stack knowledge is a plus.
• Experience with software development architecture, service design, and observability.
• Excellent communication skills and commitment to open science.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap for software and data ecosystem.
• Design and operate research platforms and infrastructure.
• Lead reproducible computational pipelines and mentor junior developers.

Skills

Python

System administration

Software development architecture

Data governance and FAIR practices

Excellent communication

Education

PhD in computer science, software engineering or related fields

Tools

APIs

Data catalogs

Job description

Senior Research Software Engineer – Digital Systems for Sustainability Science

Job Requisition Id: 16685 • Academic staff • Contract hours: 38 per week • Location: Leiden • Application deadline: 31 December 2026

Job Overview

The Institute of Environmental Science CML at Leiden University seeks a Senior Research Software Engineer with a research systems and infrastructure profile. You will develop and maintain the digital infrastructure that powers CML’s work in industrial ecology, sustainability assessment, and circular economy. Your role includes shaping the research infrastructure strategy, making foundational decisions about software architecture, computing and storage environments, cloud/hybrid setups, security, and long‑term data governance. You will also help define institute‑wide standards for reproducibility, translate scientific needs into scalable solutions, and contribute to project acquisition through grant writing and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap for CML’s software and data ecosystem: architecture, standards, and long‑term sustainability.
• Design and operate research platforms and infrastructure.
• Define and implement institute‑wide software engineering and data management protocols for FAIR principles, metadata, documentation, versioning, licensing, and release processes.
• Lead reproducible computational pipelines (workflow engines, packaging, CI/CD).
• Mentor junior developers and researchers; conduct code reviews and technical design reviews.
• Expand collaborations with the Institute of Computer Science (LIACS) and other university initiatives on research software and data.
• Advise on and support computing and storage solutions; liaise with central IT, LIACS, and faculty services, as well as Surf and the e‑Science Centre.
• Contribute to project acquisition by developing grant proposals, technical work packages, budgets, and risk & data management plans.

Qualifications

• PhD in computer science, software engineering, environmental informatics, AI, or a closely related field.
• Strong Python skills; additional languages or stack knowledge is a plus.
• Experience in system administration or 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 is a plus.

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape CML’s long‑term digital and computational strategy with real institute‑wide impact.
• 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 LIACS and access to university‑wide networks on research software and data management.
• Internationally diverse and welcoming team focused on sustainability challenges.

Compensation

Initial one‑year contract with the option to extend to a permanent contract based on performance, following pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from €3,546 to €5,538 gross per month for a full‑time position.

Work‑Life Balance

Full‑time position (38 hours per week) with 232 vacation hours per year (30.5 days). Flexible working hours are allowed, including options to work 40 hours or 36 hours per week, with corresponding adjustments to compensation and vacation use. Hybrid working options are available for eligible roles; a home‑working allowance and a university‑supplied laptop will be provided.

EEO Statement

At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality, please 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).