Scientific Software Developer

Scientific Software Developer

Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Grade: HSO

Location: Weybridge

£31,080 - £34,940 with £6,000 per annum specialist pay allowance dependent on skills and experience

Ref: 1589993 

At the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) we safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of the environment, the economy and the millions of people who live here.  Our Department of Epidemiological Science (DES) is at the heart of some of our most important work. Your software development and analytical expertise will make a real difference to a range of policies and both research and development and operational projects. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a software developer to join the multi-disciplinary Biomathematics and Risk Research workgroup in DES. Being part of this workgroup, which provides advanced modelling, software development and scientific computing, you will:

• Design and develop novel algorithms for the analysis of epidemiological data, including parameter estimation and decision support.
• Develop complex software systems that are used for animal disease control projects. This work will include developing applications and simulation models of the spread of animal diseases, plus surveillance and management.
• Engage with a broad array of stakeholders such as veterinarians, policy advisors and industry representatives to understand their needs and translate these into technical solutions.
• Support key technical areas such as testing, architectural best practice, and technical peer review.
• Contribute to APHA scientific papers, project proposals, reports and presentations.
• Ensure we remain technically-advanced by identifying, testing and building new systems that will enhance our capabilities. 

This is a fascinating role with the scope to stretch your skills across projects of genuine national importance. We will expect you to have a degree in a scientific or IT-related subject, with simulation and data analysis experience using either Java or Scala. Familiar with Linux platform, you will understand the fundamental scientific and engineering principles relating to the field and the best way to apply these. You will be keen to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues and have strong communication skills. It would also be ideal if you have knowledge of some of the following: test-driven development, R, algorithms and simulation modelling, Cloud IaaS and visualization. 

We are an organization that takes the inclusion, support and development of our people very seriously You can look forward to learning, mentoring, coaching and continual professional development all designed to help you get the very most from your career. 

We also aim to support the personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working.

Closing date: 23 September 2018.