REF Senior Developer

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REF Senior Developer

Salary: £56,745

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed Term until December 2029*

Location: Westward House, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR (Hybrid)

Grade: UKRI Band F

Positions Available: X1

*At the end of the assignment candidates will move into the UKRI redeployment pool and be supported in finding suitable alternative work within the organisation.

Closing Date: 26 Jan 25

ABOUT US

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, with the most recent exercise concluding in 2021. It is a peer review assessment process involving submissions from higher education institutions across the UK. Research England delivered REF 2021 on behalf of the four UK funding bodies and the results have driven the annual distribution of approximately £2 billion of research funding to UK universities.

We are now developing the systems to deliver REF 2029 and looking for talented individuals to help.

PURPOSE

An exciting opportunity to shape the design, development, and delivery of the UK's next research assessment exercise, REF 2029.

We require systems to be delivered to support:

• Administration of the exercise
• The submission of large volumes of research data from all participating HEIs
• The dissemination and assessment of all elements of the research data submitted.

You will be working in an agile development team following a user centered design approach. We require passionate and innovative team members working with a combination of bespoke software and off-the-shelf products to produce a robust, accessible, and performant suite of systems to support the exercise over the next 5 years.

ABOUT YOU

A successful candidate will feel confident developing using modern web technologies and comfortable working across multiple systems and work streams, collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders alike to deliver each of the project's milestones in an incremental approach. Previous experience of working in a user centered design framework is desirable and the ability to balance user needs with technical implementation is a must.

You will be working with both bespoke developments and integrating with existing infrastructure and architectures within the wider organisational environment.

MAIN OUTPUTS

• Deliver and maintain code and systems reliably to high quality standard.
• Collaborate with all delivery workstreams to ensure REF systems are cohesive.
• Collaborate with REF programme as well as teams in Research England and UKRI to ensure optimal use of team resources.
• Develop features of the REF systems ensuring security and accessibility.
• Work within the team's agile framework contributing to continuous improvement.
• Deliver and maintain code and systems reliably to high quality standard, implementing shared coding standards and code reviews and technical discussions.
• Collaborate with whole REF systems team to ensure that systems design and delivery is developed by key REF guidance. Working closely within the team and with the lead developer to deliver agile and project goals.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(S) - ASSESSED AT SHORTLISTING

(I) - ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW

(S&I) - ASSESSED AT BOTH SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEW

ESSENTIAL:

• Extensive experience working in a cloud-based development environment (AWS/Azure). (S/I)
• Highly experienced working with complex data models. (S/I)
• Experience of developing secure systems ensuring data is always protected. (S/I)
• Experienced in delivering WCAG2.1 compliant systems, embedding accessibility in all deliverables. (S/I)
• Languages and technical skills (S/I)
  • JavaScript/TypeScript, .Net, JSON, XML, NodeJS, Express
  • HTML and CSS/SaSS/LESS, Tailwind, StyledComponents
  • React/NextJS
  • SQL/RDMS/Postgres
  • SSO/AD - Knowledge of OAuth, JWT, Azure AD
  • Fluent knowledge of package management and packaging npm, yarn, pnpm workspaces, webpack, etc
  • RESTful API development
  • Jira/Confluence/SCRUM team experience

DESIRABLE:

• DevOps experience desirable (AWS, Terraform) (I)
• Previous experience of REF, working with universities or diverse research outputs (I)
• 12 Factor App experience (I)
• NextJS SPA/SSR Development (I)

APPLICATIONS

Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under 'Experience' section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'Experience' section of the application process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DEVELOPING TALENT:

We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.

BENEFITS:

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

About Research England

Research England is one of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation. As a key component of the research funding system, Research England will oversee UKRI's England-only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). This includes providing grant funding to English universities for related activities; developing and implementing the Research Excellence Framework in partnership with the UK Higher Education funding bodies; supervising the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England; guide the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund; and coordinate the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England will build and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and KE system in English universities. They also work closely with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.

For more information about Research England, click here.

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.