Compensation

£42K - 42K

Contract type

Full time

Technologies & frameworks

Python

Benefits & perks

Flexible working

Support model development and lead model integration on a suite of research models.

Role overview

Complexity Economics and Economics of Sustainability Programmes

The current economic and policy models used by major economies and key intergovernmental institutions are structurally biased towards underestimating the opportunities of a transition to a net-zero carbon economy. These models are often used by finance ministries, environmental agencies, legislatures, and central banks to design climate policies, laws, and regulations. The time is right for an overhaul of these models – both improving existing models and building a new generation of empirically grounded models to better assess the opportunities of a rapid transition.

We seek a research software engineer to help co-develop and embed our new economic models into international decision-making processes. The project will involve a global network of collaborators led by Oxford combining deep experience in policymaking with leading-edge expertise in climate economics, modelling, data, and policy.

The role

Reporting to the Director of the Economics of Sustainability Programme and the Director of Complexity Economics the post holder is a recognised research software developer. The post holder will be joining the Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition (EEIST) research programme. The EEIST project develops cutting edge complexity-based modelling solutions to support government decision making around low-carbon innovation and technological change, aiming to facilitate a rapid low-carbon transition. which will soon be transitioning into an implementation phase that involves transfer and uptake of our models, datasets, and visualisations.

The research software engineer position will be tasked designing and developing the systems, ensuring the quality of the code base developed with fellow researchers, integrating modules, and managing the implementation of the system. The post holder will be responsible for the integration of the modules developed within the INET group. They will co-develop economics modules and geospatial analytical tools for analysis of climate mitigation pathways at national and global scales. You will work closely with specialists from across the EEIST project consortium and be responsible for major aspects of model implementation.

Responsibilities/duties

• As the Oxford INET team’s research software engineer you will be responsible for dayto-day management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress in the teams’ modelling efforts

• You will help EEIST team researchers develop the modelling capabilities required for the EEIST project. You will also independently develop software packages to be used within the group, manage the modelling system databases, and the updates to data sources.

• You will help author a report that will be a key output of the EEIST project on the design, use and results of the models built for the project.

• You will also support the software development capabilities of early career and fixedterm contract researchers, developing productive working relations and line-managing other members of the software development team as the programme grows.

• Monitor software development resources and budgets.

Selection criteria

In your submission for this position please state clearly how you meet each of the following requirements.

Essential

• The successful candidate will hold a degree, or have equivalent experience, in a related discipline and have experience, ability and practical success in scientific programming and/or research software engineering.

• You will have several years of programming experience with proficiency in the Python programming language and a familiarity with C++, R and Javascript

• You will have experience with building and maintaining databases on a common platform such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, or Oracle

• Knowledge and experience of good practice in software design and development, e.g. testing, version control, continuous integration, deployment is essential.

• Experience in developing documentation for software. This will require excellent organisational and communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience of providing supervision of coding and database management and delivering teaching on software development

• Evidence of effective teamwork in interdisciplinary research contexts and multiparty collaborations.

• Good written and communication skills.

• Experience of managing budgets

University of Oxford

250+

Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts. We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution. While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise. Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford. For more information, please visit www.ox.ac.uk/about/organisation. our company