Research Software Engineer (Data Specialist)

Classification: ANU Officer 8 (Specialist) 
Salary package: $124,392 - $133,017 per annum, plus 17% superannuation 
Term: Full-time, Continuing (Contingent Funded)

This position is continuing (contingent funded). The funding that supports this project has an expected end date of 30 June 2028.

About Us  

ACCESS-NRI, Australia’s climate simulator, delivers world-class computer simulations for climate, weather and Earth systems, specifically designed for Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. ACCESS-NRI is a collaborative venture between Government agencies, partner Universities and the Australian research community to support development, maintenance and access to the national climate and weather models for researchers and decision makers.  ACCESS-NRI is enabled by Australian Government investment through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Hosted at ANU, ACCESS-NRI aims to understand and predict Australia’s climate and weather to provide information that can be used to safeguard Australia’s future. 

At the heart of ACCESS is a community of Research Software Engineers with a range of skills including high performance computing and data (HPCD), climate and Earth system model development, advanced visualisation, model optimisation, code repository management, model evaluation and data management. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of earth system models, climate change and high-performance computing and data to help address major challenges facing society. 

The Role 

We are seeking a talented Research Software Engineer with a background in data management, data stewardship and/or data engineering to join the ACCESS-NRI Data Team. The role focuses on supporting the management, sharing and long-term usability of data across the ACCESS community. 

You will contribute across a broad range of activities, from data governance and stewardship through to the development of technical capabilities that support data-intensive research. This includes supporting FAIR and CARE data practices, enabling community data sharing through the ACCESS Merit Allocation scheme, improving metadata, provenance and reproducibility practices, and developing tools and workflows that embed scalable data management approaches into ACCESS climate modelling software. In practice, this work involves developing and supporting data systems that make large, complex scientific datasets easier to process, validate, publish, discover and reuse at scale. 

The role combines ongoing support and maintenance with the development of new capabilities and longer-term projects. You will work closely with researchers, data stewards, software engineers and infrastructure specialists across a diverse range of technical and non-technical backgrounds. Strong collaboration, communication and organisational skills are therefore essential. We are looking for someone with attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and approaches. Experience with a specific skillset is less important than curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to contribute across a collaborative and cross-disciplinary environment. 

ACCESS-NRI offers a uniquely cross-disciplinary workplace with opportunities to broaden your skills across climate science, research software engineering and data-intensive research infrastructure. We are committed to providing a supportive and enriching work environment and investing in the development of successful applicants. 

What you’ll bring 

Background, interest or experience in one or more of the following areas would be valuable: 

• FAIR and CARE data practices, data governance or data stewardship 

• Developing data analysis software, workflows or research data services 

• Working with large and complex scientific datasets, including scalable storage and analysis approaches (e.g. Zarr, object storage, cloud/HPC hybrid workflows) 

• Metadata, provenance, reproducibility, quality assurance or research data management practices 

• Linux/Unix, HPC or other large-scale computing environments 

• Supporting shared research infrastructure or collaborative scientific software projects 

• Communicating and working effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders 

Experience or familiarity with any of the following would also be beneficial: 

• Climate or geoscience data formats, controlled vocabularies, standards and conventions (e.g. NetCDF, HDF5, Zarr, CF Conventions, ISO 19115) 

• Scientific programming languages such as Python 

• Data pipelines, workflow automation or parallel I/O approaches 

• HPC, cloud or hybrid environments for scientific data analysis and sharing 

The areas above are provided as examples of relevant experience and are not formal selection criteria. Applicants should respond directly to the formal selection criteria in the Position Description, using the examples above as guidance when considering how their experience, skills and transferable knowledge may align with the role. 

We recognise that candidates will bring different combinations of skills and experiences, and no applicant is expected to meet every example listed above. We strongly encourage applications from people with relevant or transferable experience, including those whose backgrounds may not align exactly with the examples provided. 

If this sounds like you, and you are excited to support innovative research and play an active role in making a difference in the field of climate modelling, then please get in touch to find out more about the position.   

For further information, please contact Kelsey Druken (Associate Director, Release Management) on E: kelsey.druken@anu.edu.au  

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities at the ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-employment. 

ANU values diversity and inclusion and believes employment opportunities must not be limited by socio-economic background, race, religion or gender. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion. 

Application information 

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents: 

• A statement addressing the selection criteria. 

• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least two referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form. 

• Other documents, if required. 

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position. 

Please note: The successful applicant must have rights to live and work in this country. 

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.