Research software engineer for a research-data infrastructure framework

The Department of Clinical Medicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University, in collaboration with the Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus(SDCA), invites applications for a position as “research software engineer” to work (in person or remote) with a team on a software and data infrastructure project as per September 1. This position is a fixed-term full-time position.

The project aims to build an open and scalable data infrastructure framework for working with, discovering, and managing data that follows FAIR and open science principles. This is a software project that focuses on working with data, but not on data itself. A description of the project (called Seedcase) can be found at https://seedcase-project.org/ The Seedcase Project will be contributing to the research of SDCA ((https://www.stenoaarhus.dk/research/) as well as to that of other Steno centers and research initiatives throughout Denmark.

Department of Clinical Medicine

As a research software engineer at the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of what is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all the medical specialities and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square metres of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and also advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master’s degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. As a research software engineer, you will be working at Aarhus University Hospital or another hospital in the Central Denmark Region.

You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus

SDCA is a center that brings together researchers and clinicians in an aim to better integrate work on multiple aspects of diabetes treatment, research, and education.

Your job responsibilities

As a research software engineer working with the team, your main tasks will consist of:

• Building and developing Python packages for Seedcase that will be used to build and manage the infrastructure around and of research data.
• Reviewing contributed code and documentation text.
• Assisting with or developing tools for improving analysis and workflow pipelines related to using Seedcase (e.g. making Python/R packages and scripts).

On top of these tasks, every member of the team also has tasks that consist of:

• Refining, critiquing, and improving on the descriptions of the use-cases and the design and architecture of Seedcase software products.
• Building, testing, developing, and deploying each component of Seedcase into Minimally Valuable Products.
• Writing public-facing, beginner-friendly, and accessible documentation on contributing to and using Seedcase.
• Creating and maintaining websites connected to Seedcase (e.g. through GitHub Pages).
• Contributing to tasks and projects related to the general administration or building up of the general research environment (e.g. writing and/or updating onboarding documentation).
• Developing and running training sessions to build up the general capacity of digital knowledge and skills, such as coding, reproducibility, and effective collaboration.

Note, while the team as a whole will need to complete these tasks, any individual member of the team does not need to do all these tasks and instead will be assigned specific sections of the project.

You will report to the Unit Head Annelli Sandbæk and to the team leader Luke Johnston.

Your competencies

We expect, at a minimum, that you:

• Are proficient in communicating (written and oral) in English
• Are motivated, interested, and comfortable with working in an environment where many software development workflows and processes are still new and still need further development and refinement, as well as contributing on a project that is still early in the stages of development and that requires a diverse set of skills, knowledge, and tasks.
• Have demonstrated knowledge of and experience in using Python and/or R for programming and software engineering tasks.
• Have used Git or other version control software on a fairly regular basis for projects.
• Have knowledge of and familiarity with software development practices.
• Are interested in or motivated to be involved in aspects of building up and developing the culture and infrastructure of a newer organization and team.
• Have knowledge of and experience in implementing and adhering to FAIR/open principles.
• Are familiar with general data engineering practices.
• Have some experience or familiarity with the research environment and its specific set of needs.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Luke Johnston at +4529664675

Your place of work will be either remote and at the Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, Indgang A, 8200 Aarhus N.

Terms of employment

Terms of employment and pay are regulated by the collective agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and the applicable agreement.

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Indication of education (a copy of the diplomas should be uploaded)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the recruitment system

We refer to the faculty’s Guideline for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/