RSE Job Descriptions

As part of our commitment to developing career pathways for RSEs the RSE group director has been working with Human Resources to formulate a generic RSE job (role) description. These are similar to the published examples for researchers and technical roles on the university website. RSEs employed on services roles within the RSE team (i.e. not as part of a specific grant) use these job descriptions as part of their formal staff review and development scheme.

The job descriptions are published to aid the wider community in developing job descriptions and career pathways for RSEs. If you are considering employing an RSE at the university of Sheffield then talk to us as we can assist you with aspects of recruitment such as writing job adverts or interviewing.

G7 RSE Job Role

Delivery

• Plan and undertake the software development, documentation and reporting necessary to achieve the aims of the project(s).
• Contribute to the design, planning and execution of computational research experiments (research computing) within agreed projects.
• Work flexibly across departments and university locations, adapting and transferring skills to new technology and innovations as required.
• Contribute to the broader research software engineering community for example through support for high performance computing equipment, development and maintenance of open source software and through the planning, development and provision of technical training.

Teamwork and collaboration and communications

• Assist in the planning and preparation of RSE support for research proposals.
• Participate in project meetings relevant to the technical development of software.
• Present data and software to the PI and other members of the collaborating partners as required.
• Disseminate the results of technical achievements via appropriate national and international channels as they evolve to represent outputs of research software engineers. E.g. the RSE Conference, Tier 2 networks, RSE Leaders.

Professional practice

• Follow good software engineering and reproducible research practice and disseminate this practice to collaborating partners
• Keep abreast of developments in techniques and technology, taking responsibility for own self development in technical, scientific and specialist knowledge.
• Plan and manage work priorities to ensure project deliverables and other deadlines are met.

Other

• Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

G8 RSE Job Role

In addition to the job description of a G7 RSE, a G8 RSE is expected to;

Planning

• Actively engage with the academic community and research funders to identify opportunities for the provision of RSE support and assist in the preparation of proposals for funding bodies.
• Respond to requests for RSE service to develop collaboration opportunities.
• Work with collaborators to create software development plans and provide costing for their delivery.

Management and Delivery

• Manage and report on research funding and resources across relevant projects.
• Allocate and monitor staff workloads to ensure the effective delivery of programmes of technical development.
• Manage, motivate and develop staff, through effective line management, ensuring an appropriate level of skills and knowledge, including opportunities for training and development.

Leadership

• Provide strategic guidance to researchers and departments regarding research computing and software engineering.
• Develop a professional profile through activities including; organization of conferences, hackathons and training events, membership and leadership of national and international RSE events, code reviewing, and involvement in national and international computational initiatives.
• Design, deliver, assess and evaluate high quality innovative programmes of technical training and development which will include identifying learning objectives, developing curricula, selecting appropriate teaching methods, resources and planning, attracting participants and publicising events and gathering feedback.

Other

• Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.