Join to apply for the Software Engineer (Ref: MGMT 2025-08) role at ICIQ.
The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is seeking a Software Engineer. This position is funded by the ‘Severo Ochoa’ Centres of Excellence programme, reference CEX2024-001469-S, funded by MICIU/AEI.
ICIQ is committed to performing excellent research at the frontier of knowledge in chemistry and aims to train the next generation of scientists through high‑quality educational programmes for masters, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Our mission is to lead cross‑strategies to solve major social and economic challenges such as climate change, sustainable energy and raw material supply, contributing to a knowledge‑based economy and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Role Overview
We are seeking a hands‑on Software Engineer to join ICIQ’s Digitalisation team. You will help design and build ICIQ’s Data Management System (DMS) to collect, organise and preserve all research and administrative data, enhancing data use, enabling FAIR/Open Science practices and a smooth day‑to‑day work environment. The role suits a developer who enjoys collaborating with scientists and support units (IT, Purchasing, Safety) to translate needs into requirements and deliver robust, maintainable software.
Key Responsibilities
Build & integrate

Design, develop, and maintain scripts and lightweight apps for data curation, transformation, validation, and ETL/ELT.
Create small services and scripts to move and validate data; connect instruments, repositories and internal systems via APIs.
Implement and maintain APIs and interoperability between research, purchasing, safety, and data platforms; keep APIs versioned and well‑documented.
Support instrument data capture and pipelines (file watchers, parsers, adapters) into the data management system; improve data quality with validation rules.
Automate processes among systems and users.

Data model & quality

Help shape simple data models and metadata, keep a common vocabulary, and apply basic validation so data stays consistent and reusable.
Design and run the database layer: model and manage relational databases (SQL) and metadata; define schemas and naming, set up indexes/partitions for performance, handle schema changes/migrations, and write efficient queries.
Plan the data architecture: pick the right storage for each need (relational for transactions; document/graph/time‑series where it helps), define canonical IDs and data lifecycles (ingest → curate → publish/archive).
Ensure FAIR/metadata alignment and repository uploads; contribute to controlled vocabularies/ontologies where needed.

Operations & reliability

Keep code in version control: CI/CD practices (Git, unit/integration tests, code reviews, reusable templates).
Add basic tests: use containers when helpful for repeatable deployments; monitor logs, back up data, and follow security/access rules with IT.

Project support

Capture needs in clear requirements, keep documentation and diagrams up to date, and prepare reports/dashboards on progress and data quality.
Help the project team with project definition and documentation by drafting scopes and acceptance criteria, organising meeting notes and decision logs, and keeping templates/versioning tidy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering or related.
Solid programming skills. Knowledge of Python and/or Java; familiarity with SQL and web APIs (REST).
Experience structuring requirements and writing clear technical documentation (e.g. Unified Modelling Language (UML)).
Interest in scientific data environments and working with researchers.
Proficiency with Git and Linux.
Collaboration, teamwork & empathic: works well as a team; helpful and respectful, balances the needs, sets expectations, and manages disagreements constructively.
Communication: clear written and verbal communication; ability to translate between technical and non‑technical audiences.
Organisation, problem solving & critical thinking: plans work, keeps track of tasks and decisions, meets deadlines, breaks problems down and focuses on practical outcomes.
Adaptability & learning: picks up new tools quickly; comfortable with change and ambiguity.

Valued qualities

Experience with ELN/LIMS/SDMS or other scientific SDMS tools.
Understanding FAIR and Open Science.
Familiarity with Azure/Microsoft 365 (Power Automate, Power BI, SharePoint).
Exposure to data governance, metadata management, privacy/GDPR, and basic information security practices.
Experience with graph/NoSQL databases.
Development of web applications, familiar with UI/UX principles.
Knowledge of Docker.
Prioritisation & time management: focuses on what adds most value; manages own workload well.
Attention to detail & quality: careful with information and documentation; checks accuracy.
Proactivity & ownership: takes initiative, flags risks early, and asks for help when needed.
Working proficiency in English (written and oral), Spanish and Catalan.

What We Offer

A full‑time contract linked to the project.
An international and dynamic environment within a multidisciplinary team.
The opportunity to contribute to a cutting‑edge digital transformation in scientific research.
Training and career development in research data management, Open Science/FAIR, and modern software tooling.
Remuneration according to the candidate’s qualifications/experience and institutional policies.
Incorporation: Immediately.

All Applications Must Include

A Cover Letter with a statement of interest in English, including two contacts for further references – applications without this document will not be considered.
A full CV in English including contact details.

OTM‑R Principles in the Selection Process
ICIQ follows the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit‑based Recruitment (OTM‑R) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers as established by the European Commission.
ICIQ follows a gender equality opportunity policy and a non‑discrimination policy on the basis of age, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language and disability.
ICIQ is committed to promoting a work‑life balance for its employees and offers flexible working hours.
Selection Process

Pre‑selection: Candidates are assessed based on qualifications and expertise reflected on their CVs – a merit‑based phase.
Interview: Pre‑selected candidates are interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and the appointed Selection Committee.
Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is selected, the People Unit will extend a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary and overall job conditions.

For further information, you can visit our HR Excellence in Research page: HR Excellence in Research.
This position is funded by the ‘Severo Ochoa’ Centres of Excellence programme, reference CEX2024-001469-S, funded by MICIU/AEI.
Esta posición es parte de la actuación Severo Ochoa Centros de Excelencia, con referencia CEX2024-001469-S, financiada por MICIU/AEI.
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