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/10.13039/501100011033.        

ICIQ is committed to performing excellent research at the frontier of knowledge in the broad area of chemistry (Catalysis, Artificial Photosynthesis, Activation of Small Molecules, Photovoltaics, Functional Molecular Assemblies and Chemical Biology, from either theoretical or experimental perspectives). The institute also aims at training the future generation of scientists by offering high-quality educational programmes to master, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (Full details on http://www.iciq.org/).

Our mission is to lead, from the vantage point of molecular science, cross-strategies for solving major social and economic challenges, such as climate change and sustainable supply of energetic and raw materials, thereby contributing to the establishment of a knowledge-based economy and improving citizens’ quality of life in our influence area.

Role Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Software Engineer to join ICIQ’s Digitalisation team. You will be helping 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 smooth day-to-day work. You will work alongside the project team designing and building technical solutions (scripts, integrations, data pipelines, and custom tools) that enable FAIR/Open Science and a fully digital research 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 (analytical) instrument data capture and pipelines (file watchers, parsers, adapters) into 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 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 processes

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 in its selection process 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, as such, offers flexible working hours.

Selection Process 

ICIQ’s selection process usually entails the following phases:

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise as reflected on the candidates’ CVs. This phase is merit-based.

• Interview: Preselected candidates will be 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 at: HR Excellence in Research (iciq.org)

This position is funded by the ‘Severo Ochoa’ Centres of Excellence programme, reference CEX2024-001469-S, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.

(Esta posición es parte de la actuación Severo Ochoa Centros de Excelencia, con referencia CEX2024-001469-S, financiada por MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).