Job Purpose

Are you a Software Engineer who thrives on solving complex problems through hands-on development and in collaboration with researchers and end-users?

The Urban Big Data Centre (UBDC) is seeking a Research Software Engineer to play a central role in designing and delivering innovative software and data science solutions that unlock the potential of urban data for research, policy, and public impact. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys collaborating with researchers and end-users, architecting systems, and building tools that make complex datasets accessible, interactive, and actionable

As RSE, you will be responsible for the end-to-end development of robust data analytics pipelines, scalable applications, and intuitive user interfaces. You will work directly with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, data scientists, and external partners to co-create impactful solutions that support data-intensive social research. Applying user-centred design principles, you will create tools and interfaces that are not only technically sound but also tailored to the needs and workflows of diverse users, ensuring usability, accessibility, and engagement across stakeholder groups.

This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven organisation that values innovation, technical excellence, and real-world impact. At UBDC, you’ll be part of a dynamic environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. You will also be associated with a team of Research Software Engineers working across the University, in close collaboration with the university-wide Research Computing as a Service. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced research setting, brings strong software engineering skills, and is excited to contribute to meaningful societal change through thoughtful, user-focused software development.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Apply and direct the use of state-of-the-art novel software engineering (including agile project management, data science and artificial intelligence) to address challenges faced by University of Glasgow researchers.
2. Liaise with UBDC and external researchers, administrators, and end-user stakeholders to capture requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions.
3. Design, development, and maintenance of production-grade frontend applications and visual interfaces to support data exploration, analysis, and public engagement.
4. Operationalisation and maintenance of backend and platform technologies (e.g., databases, ETL pipelines, GraphQL APIs via Hasura, REST APIs, file storage and authentication services) to ensure secure, efficient data delivery.
5. Support UBDC researchers with ad hoc technical tasks relating to dataset generation, model development, and analysis.
6. Database administration and query development, including performance optimisation and SQL-based analytics.
7. Maintain and update landing websites hosted in Webflow.
8. Liaise with UBDC researchers, administrators, and external stakeholders to capture requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions.
9. Document developed systems and provide training, client manuals, and technical workshops as needed.
10. Support publication of data assets, including preparation of formats, metadata, and access methods.
11. Continue to learn new methods, frameworks, and technologies to support innovation in software engineering for urban data research.

Knowledge/Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• A1 Degree (or equivalent experience) in IT, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• A2 Specialist knowledge of software engineering, including backend and frontend development methodologies.
• A3 Strong programming expertise for data-driven, user-facing applications (e.g., JavaScript/React/Next.js, Python, Node).
• A4 Skills in database administration (e.g., PostgreSQL) and integration of APIs.
• A5 Experience with designing, developing, deploying and maintaining production-ready web systems.
• A6 Excellent communication skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Desirable

• B1 Knowledge of geospatial data structures and visualisation tools.
• B2 Skills in user-centred design, including working with collaborative design software such as Figma or Adobe Creative Suite.
• B3 Familiarity with SCRUM project management, including backlog tracking and sprint planning.
• B4 Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and containerisation/orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• B5 Experience maintaining CMS-driven websites (e.g., Webflow).

Skills

Essential

• C1 Sufficient professional experience (or equivalent) in software engineering roles.
• C2 Strong experience building software applications for data-driven contexts.
• C3 Proven experience integrating APIs and operating production databases.

Desirable

• D1 Experience supporting data-intensive research projects.
• D2 Experience developing or maintaining geospatial applications.
• D3 Experience with deploying software services with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and containerisation/orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

Experience

Essential

• E1 Software development expertise, including modern frameworks and libraries (e.g., React, Next.js, JavaScript/TypeScript) for building production-grade user interfaces.
• E2 Strong skills in user-centred design activities such as requirements analysis, collaborative system design and evaluation for user-facing applications.
• E3 Database administration and query optimisation (e.g., PostgreSQL), including schema design and SQL query development.
• E4 Experience with API integration and development, including RESTful web services and GraphQL (e.g., Hasura).
• E5 Proven ability to manage workload effectively, meet deadlines, and adapt flexibly to evolving project requirements.
• E6 Ability to apply agile project management practices (e.g., SCRUM), including backlog management, sprint planning, and team facilitation.
• E7 Ability to prepare technical documentation, proposals, and user training materials.

Desirable

• F1 Skills in maintaining and updating CMS-driven websites (e.g., Webflow).
• F2 Experience and skills with big data analysis and management.

Job Features

Dimensions:

• Be part of a Research Engineering team, responsible for developing and maintaining tools and applications to support administrative users and research users from several subject areas including Urban Studies, Mathematics and Statistics, Geographical and Earth Sciences, Computing Science, Education, Economics, Engineering and others.
• Provide support to set up necessary IT systems.
• Provide support for a range of data services including data linkage, cleaning and other aspects of curation. * Participate in development of overall UBDC strategy to provide support for research, data services and products.
• Participate in meetings with internal and external researchers and liaise with external stakeholders as necessary.
• Participate in the development of research proposals.
• Participate in internal meetings to report on progress and timelines.
• Responsible for the management of large complex databases.
• Collaborate with other RSEs with routine programming and system management tasks.

Planning and Organising:

• Plan and organise own workload effectively and efficiently, completing tasks within tight time constraints.
• Proactive in facilitating senior Centre personnel and service user requirements in a flexible and ordered fashion.

Decision Making:

• Participate in the identification of significant and critical issues affecting the progress of projects and communicate such issues to Centre personnel in a timely fashion.
• Apply specialist knowledge in the area of software engineering and take independent decisions, where appropriate, and recommend changes/updates to current practices, as required.
• Proactive in recommending new IT solutions and enhanced functionality to improve the efficiency of routinely collected urban data to clients. Internal/external Relationships
• Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and senior management.
• Liaise with external clients and partners, as appropriate and in the development of user applications.

Problem Solving:

Recognise and resolve issues within the area of software development and data management, flagging critical issues to senior Centre personnel appropriately and in a timely fashion and apply expert knowledge by offering solutions and advice at a technical level.

OTHER

• Contribute to the Centre’s reputation as a leading research centre by providing at all times a high standard of work and by contributing to innovative technological solutions and widely recognised research developments of staff and universities involved.
• Contribute to the University’s reputation in urban analytics by providing a strong supporting service within the area of urban analysis and related methods and computational projects.
• The nature of the post may require occasional working outside of normal working hours.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 – £46,049 per annum.

This post is full-time and fixed-term for up to 31.10.2028 fixed end date

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Closing Date: 27 July 2026