Department
At the UK Data Archive, data is the heart of our business, and we hold the largest collection of social science survey data in the UK. As we look towards deeper integration with European and North American infrastructures, we are increasingly working with different datasets from other sectors like Energy and deploying cloud-based infrastructures and Privacy Enhancing Technologies. Our strategy in the next three to five years is to be a world-class repository for cross-disciplinary data that allows customers to find and analyse the highest quality data both securely and quickly. We’re looking for someone to work in a small, motivated, multi-disciplinary team who isn’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and think differently about how we do things.
Duties of the Role
The Data Engineer is responsible for expanding and optimizing our data and data pipeline architecture, as well as optimizing data flow and collection. The ideal candidate is an experienced data pipeline builder and data wrangler who enjoys optimizing data systems and also building them from the ground up. The Data Engineer liaises with software developers, data modellers and the wider business to optimize and re-design our data architecture to support the next generation of products and data initiatives, which include moving our systems onto the cloud and working with cutting-edge databases and technologies.
Qualifications and Skills required
The data we create, curate and disseminate includes tens of thousands of datasets in many formats including SPSS, STATA, CSV, XML and graph-based RDF data. You will have experience of using a number of major statistical, spreadsheet and database packages to clean, refactor and produce high quality data. Ideally, you will have some programming experience as well. Most importantly, you can demonstrate an ability to think about and analyse data in a structured and logical way, and an ability to acquire new knowledge quickly. Much of our data is sensitive and so you will also have an appreciation of data security issues.
This post is fixed-term until 31/03/2024 due to the cyclical nature of the UKDA funding.
This post involves access to Government systems, information or data and will be subject to the staff vetting process. Further information on this and the full list of duties and requirements for the role can be found in the job pack.
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification, which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please email the Resourcing Team (resourcing@essex.ac.uk).
*More information: Working at the University
