Research Software Engineer

Who are we?

We are the University of Cambridge research centre in Singapore called Cambridge CARES, sponsored by the NRF CREATE program CAM.CREATE. Health-driven design for cities (HD4) is a collaborative research programme between the University of Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University and National University Singapore within Cambridge CARES. HD4 will deliver highly actionable data and evidence on the social determinants of health in Singapore, which have the potential to improve the public's health.

HD4 sits at the heart of Singapore's global research and development hub and paves the way for a sustainable and healthy city. It will undertake research in the following key areas: characterising the features of the environment that potentially impact health in Singapore; understanding the links between environmental factors, individual behaviours and health outcomes; observing the impact of environmental change on health in Singapore; simulating the impact of potential changes on the health of Singaporeans; and working with government agencies to co-develop data-rich public health tools. A key component of the project is SG100K, a population-based cohort of 100,000 participants with detailed information already collected. The cohort will be measured again in the future and we are therefore also pilot testing new methods of assessment.

The scientific techniques, technologies, tools and most importantly the knowledge gained through the programme will create a comprehensive systems view of how the urban environment affects population health in Singapore.

The programme will train and enrich the talent pool of next generation of researchers, and benefit from local and international expertise and an innovative interdisciplinary research ecosystem. It will provide the basis for a data-rich public health framework, supporting the development of a healthy Singapore.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Research Software Engineer to join HD4. The Research Software Engineer will play a key role in developing a scalable knowledge-based solution to automate ingestion pipelines for data to be represented as a knowledge graph by means of ontologies. This position provides an exciting opportunity to gain experience with building agentic workflows based on Large Language Models (LLMs) which, in particular, employ Model Context Protocol (MCP) in order to maintain integrity and quality of a dynamically changing knowledge graph environment. This role requires a skilled software engineer that can work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Software development: Design, develop, and maintain knowledge-based software applications.

• Collaboration: Work closely with researchers to understand their needs and translate them into effective software solutions.

• Optimization: Optimize software for performance, security, scalability, and usability.

• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for software applications and processes. Support project reporting.

• Support: Provide technical support and training to researchers.

• Innovation: Stay updated with the latest advancements in software engineering and computational research to incorporate new technologies and methodologies.

What skills will you need?

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience: Proven experience in software development, preferably in a research or academic environment.

• Skills:

o Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Java.

o Knowledge of software development methodologies and best practices.

o Competence with version control systems (e.g., Git).

o Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

• Communication: Excellent oral and verbal communication skills.

• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) and Model Context Protocol (MCP).

• Competence with containerisation technologies (e.g., Docker).

• Experience with ontologies and knowledge graphs.

• Familiarity with libraries and frameworks for geospatial data processing and visualisation (e.g., graph databases, PostGIS, Ontop, Geoserver).

• Experience working with sensitive (e.g., personally identifiable) data.

What can we offer you?

• A stimulating working-environment with friendly, highly motivated colleagues.

• Opportunities to develop and implement new ideas in a creative environment.

• A competitive salary in line with your skills and experience.

• A comprehensive medical insurance cover as part of your employment.

Please note this post is mainly based in the CREATE Tower at NUS University Town, Singapore.