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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Research Software Engineer (Automation and DevOps) - IT Services - 102683 - Grade 7 - **Company:** University of Birmingham - **Location:** Birmingham, UK - **Salary:** £36,636.0 - £46,049.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Automation of Tests, Unix, Cloud Computing, Software Quality, Code Review, Information Systems, Databases, Continuous Integration, Linux, DevOps, Django Web Framework, Middleware, Python (Programming Language), Linux System Administration, Live Connect (Windows), OpenStack, Software Maintenance, Ansible, Scientific Computating, Software Deployment, Virtual Machines, Web Applications, Saltstack, Gitlab, Git, Containerization, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Information Technology, Codebase, Api Design, Software Version Control, GXP, Docker, Servicenow - **Published:** August 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=8e8a43585631f7c4 ## About the Role * Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) or relevant technical qualification and considerable relevant experience. Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of more demanding roles will be required demonstrating the conceptual understanding required. * Python software-engineering skills, with experience designing, building, and/or maintaining reliable software. * Comfortable developing and deploying software in Linux environments. * Experience using version control workflows collaboratively (e.g. Git). * Experience using modern software delivery practices, including CI/CD. * Ability to decide what processes to automate and how, and where a "human in the loop" is required. * Demonstrated ability to investigate complex technical issues, work effectively across unfamiliar systems, and deliver pragmatic, robust solutions. * Proven ability to take ownership of technical tasks and deliver work independently while collaborating effectively with a wider team. * Proven ability to work effectively with users, stakeholders (or similar) to understand requirements and deliver solutions. * Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. * A self-motivated learner with a track record of continually updating skills. * Ability to manage and prioritise workload effectively with an appropriate level of supervision. * Evidence of literacy and numeracy. * GCSEs to a minimum of grade C/4 in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualifications). * Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010. Including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). * Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document . Desirable * Experience of working on medium to large codebases. * Experience supporting live services running on Linux. * Experience writing automated tests and maintaining software quality. * Familiarity with testing practices such as unit, integration, and functional testing. * Experience of developing APIs and/or API client software. * Experience designing and developing database-backed applications and services. * Experience of developing Django applications. * Experience with container technologies (e.g. Docker, Apptainer, or similar). * Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code approaches and configuration management tools (e.g. Ansible, SaltStack). * Experience participating in collaborative code review and maintaining high engineering standards.Knowledge of Higher Education, Research and High-Performance-Computing (HPC). ## Description BEAR uses complex, large-scale architectures based on Unix, Linux, Openstack and enterprise class storage infrastructures. These need to be configured and maintained to the highest standards of reliability, performance and quality. Business continuity and high service levels are demanded for mission-critical corporate services and for those supporting the core activities of research, teaching and learning. Underpinning and supporting these headline BEAR services are a collection of web applications and supporting Python libraries that integrate with and control aspects of the headline services. We also integrate with various information systems in the wider IT Services to automate processes wherever practical. Individuals working in ARC need to be resourceful, innovative and attuned to the research process. Role Summary The Research Software Engineer (DevOps and Automation) plays a key role in developing and improving the systems, tooling, and automation that underpin BEAR services. Working within the BEAR Apps team as part of wider ARC, you will design, develop, and maintain software and infrastructure used to operate services supporting research and scientific computing across the University. The role focuses on improving automation, reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency across our platforms and workflows. You will work collaboratively with developers, infrastructure specialists, and researchers to solve technical problems and continuously improve the quality and sustainability of our services. This is an opportunity to contribute to technical decisions, shape engineering practices, and work on meaningful systems that directly support real-world research. Main Duties * Develop and maintain web applications underpinning key BEAR and Baskerville NCR services. * Develop and maintain Python-based middleware and integration libraries used to automate, coordinate, and manage aspects of BEAR and Baskerville NCR services. * When new services or capabilities are required, contribute to the technical design, implementation, and integration of solutions in collaboration with colleagues across the team. * Deploy and maintain applications and services running on BEAR Cloud virtual machine infrastructure. * Develop and improve automated workflows and integrations across systems and services within ARC (e.g. GitLab) and the wider IT Services ecosystem (e.g. ServiceNow). * Contribute to the continual improvement of testing practices, automation, and continuous integration (CI) pipelines to support reliable software delivery. * Work collaboratively with senior colleagues to prioritise and plan development activities. Support effective task coordination and maintain good communication across the team. * Participate in peer code review activities, helping to maintain software quality, consistency, and good engineering practices across projects. * Respond to user support requests relating to these systems, investigating and resolving incidents and technical issues in collaboration with researchers and infrastructure colleagues. * Participate in a shared BEAR triage rota, helping to categorise and direct operational issues and service requests to the appropriate teams. Improve and further automate these processes as appropriate. * Participate in the BEAR housekeeping rota, helping to resolve user and project metadata issues and archive BEAR projects. Improve and further automate these processes as appropriate. * Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff. * Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures. * Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document. * Supports the University's sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. * Any other duties commensurate with the grade. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Node and Package Security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2138-wearedevelopers-live-node-and-package-security) - [Unlocking the potential of Digital & IT at Vodafone](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/602-unlocking-the-potential-of-digital-it-at-vodafone) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Psychological Safety in Software Engineering - Jenny-Margrethe Vej & Alexandra Hou Aldershaab](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2142-psychological-safety-in-software-engineering-jenny-margrethe-vej-alexandra-hou-aldershaab) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Software Engineer Salary in The UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/231-software-engineer-salary-in-the-uk) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Fullstack Developer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/251-fullstack-developer-salary-uk)