The Institute of Environmental Science CML at Leiden University is looking for a Senior Research Software Engineer with a research systems and infrastructure profile. You will play a central role in developing and maintaining‑ the digital infrastructure powering CML’s work in industrial ecology, sustainability assessment, and circular economy.
You will have freedom to shape a research infrastructure strategy with the support of a Junior RSE and in collaboration with the scientific staff of the institute. This includes making foundational decisions about software architecture, computing and storage environments, cloud/hybrid setups, security, and long-term data governance.
Beyond technical leadership, you will help define institute wide standards for reproducibility, collaborate closely with researchers to translate scientific needs into scalable solutions, and contribute to project acquisition through grant writing and collaborative proposals. You will architect robust platforms and workflows that enable transparent, reproducible, and high-performance environmental research—supporting not just individual projects, but the institute’s long-term digital vision.
In your role, you will work closely with a Junior Research Software Engineers, Principal Investigators and PhDs to strengthens the scientific software engineering basis of our institute. Specifically, you will be responsible for tasks such as:
Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff.
The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.
The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), and with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.
The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expanding fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2.800 staff and almost 6000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.
For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science Information about CML can be found at www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/environmental-sciences
We offer an initial one-year contract, with an option to extend to a permanent contract based on performance, following the pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 3.546 to € 5.538 gross per month based on a full-time position
At our institution, we believe in flexibility and work-life balance! With a full-time position (38 hours per week), you are entitled to 232 vacation hours per year, which is equivalent to 30.5 vacation days (based on a 38-hour work week). If you value flexibility, you have the freedom to adjust your working hours. For example, you could choose to work 40 hours per week, earning extra compensation hours. Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter work week, you can work 36 hours per week by using some of your vacation days to create more time for yourself. You’ll work closely with your supervisor to tailor your schedule in a way that suits both your needs and the team’s.
In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
We are committed to offering a flexible, supportive, and rewarding work environment, designed to help you grow both professionally and personally. For more information about the working conditions, please visit: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/dossiers/diversity
Female researchers are also welcome to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty of Science (rise.nu).
Enquiries can be made to sollicitaties@cml.leidenuniv.nl
Selection Committee:
Applications
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:
Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis until the suitable candidate has been found. All candidates will participate to two rounds of interviews.
