Senior Research Associate/ Research Software Engineer: DIMPACT

We are seeking to appoint a Research Software Engineer to join the DIMPACT project. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the software development of a cutting-edge product that changes the way large global media and technology companies – from publishers and broadcasters to streaming and entertainment providers - understand and manage the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of their digital products and services.

As a Research Software Engineer, you will maintain and further develop the software system ensuring that participating companies can carry out their assessments. You will develop a server-side python application that provides an OpenAPI for other systems to consume.

You will also apply your analytical consultancy skills as you work with technical teams in participating organisations to understand their digital media systems and related energy consumption. In addition, you will carry out research and experimental work to assess the energy consumption of new kinds of digital services not yet available in DIMPACT.

The DIMPACT project is an internationally leading effort, organised by sustainability consultancy Carnstone Partners Ltd and scientifically supported by the University of Bristol, with large media companies participating and more to join in the future. It is positioned to enable media organisations to understand, report and manage the environmental impact of their digital services.

You will join the academic team at the University of Bristol but also work closely with the consultancy team at Carnstone. The success of DIMPACT rests on the combined strong industrial experience as well international academic acclaim of the team. This ambitious role requires skills in software development, IT consultancy as well as research.

What will I be doing

• Maintaining existing and developing new capability of the existing headless, server-side python modelling and assessment system
• Maintain a OpenAPI for client applications to consume
• Deploy and maintain the server application in a cloud environment
• Supporting the analysis of digital service systems in international media and technology companies
• Maintaining existing and developing new modules for media services
• Collaborating with the rest of the team on scientific publications
• Engaging with technical and sustainability teams within the participating media companies to deliver the above

You should apply if

Requirements

• Strong experience with application development in Python
• Strong experience in IT/digital product and service systems analysis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

 Desirable

• Experience with academic writing of journal and conference articles
• Experience with the Pandas Python data analysis library
• Understanding of energy consumption of IT systems
• An understanding of greenhouse gas accounting methodologies (e.g. GHG Protocol)
• A PhD in a related field

Further information

This position is available immediately for an initial 8-month full time contract, with the potential to be extended subject to available funding. At the end of the contract, it may also be possible to continue the work with Carnstone.

We are open to flexible working arrangements, besides working from home, the role can be based at University of Bristol, Carnstone (London) or a combination of the two. Some travel to London will be expected.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Dan Schien (Daniel.schien@bristol.ac.uk).

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineeringincludesme.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.