UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Hiring now
Hybrid · Lancaster, England, United Kingdom£41k–43kFull-timePosted 2 weeks ago
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
ApplyUKCEH is looking for two experienced software engineers to join a team at the forefront of digital research and innovation, designing and developing world-leading platforms that enable cutting-edge environmental science. Working at the intersection of research and engineering, you'll help build and operate critical national research infrastructure that supports groundbreaking scientific discovery, informs policy, and delivers lasting impact for society.
You will join the Digital Engineering Group within the National Capability and Digital Research science area at UKCEH Lancaster, contributing to the development of cloud-based systems that support Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI), including national capability projects and programmes such as the Environmental Information Data Centre (EIDC) — one of the UK's five national environmental data centres, hosting over 26,000 datasets — FDRI and NC-UK. These are long-lived systems that hold irreplaceable environmental data.
You will help build and operate platform-agnostic systems within a hybrid cloud environment, applying cloud-native principles to keep these systems reliable, scalable, and robust, while improving integration and interoperability across diverse systems, data sources, and heterogeneous datasets contributing to the wider digital vision of the environmental science community.
You'll join a growing multidisciplinary team developing sustainable software that supports environmental science and collaboration across UKCEH and its partners. Working closely with researchers and technical specialists, you'll create digital tools and infrastructure that drive scientific discovery and inform environmental policy. This hands-on software engineering role involves designing, building, testing, and maintaining innovative solutions, including research cloud infrastructure, data lakes, digital twins, and collaborative research platforms. You'll be part of a team at the forefront of digital research and innovation, helping to deliver world-leading environmental science through critical national research infrastructure that creates real-world impact.
Your main responsibilities will include:
For the role of Software Engineer, we’re looking for somebody who:
How to apply and what happens next
If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you. Apply through our Workday portal by uploading your CV and answering the three questions below. A separate cover letter is not required.
Please keep each response to 150 words or fewer, using clear examples that highlight your own contribution and relevant experience.
Q1. Tell us about a piece of software you've built or maintained that other people depended on.
Q2. Describe a time you worked with someone who wasn't a software engineer to work out what they needed, or to explain a technical trade-off to them.
Q3. Tell us about a time you had to get up to speed quickly with an unfamiliar codebase, tool or technology.
What happens next?
Our panel will review your application, and we are committed to providing an outcome to all applicants.
Working at UKCEH is genuinely rewarding
You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute, where your work will have real impact. Our science helps people and the environment to prosper and informs decisions that benefit society as a whole. We’re proud to be custodians of over 60 years of environmental data, and just as proud of the people behind it. You’ll be supported to develop your career, grow your skills and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.
What we offer
At UKCEH, we recognise your dedication and provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
Our commitment to inclusion
At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.
Our approach to AI and applications
We understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their application. We encourage you to ensure your submission reflects your own experience, skills and suitability for the role. Every application that meets the essential criteria will be reviewed by our recruitment panel.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, and the role is not eligible for endorsement under the Global Talent visa route.
If you already have, or intend to obtain, the right to work in the UK through another visa route that does not require UKCEH sponsorship, please tell us in your application.