Potential Activity Scope
Conduct an exhaustive study of the career trajectories of research software engineers, documenting both successful and less successful paths, to provide a holistic understanding of the field.
The research could include a series of case studies to delve deep into the less successful paths, identifying common pitfalls, challenges, and barriers faced by research software engineers, with the aim of providing insights that can help others navigate these potential obstacles and identifying policy implications from these cases.
This research could address topics such as the following:
Entry into the Field: Examining how individuals enter the RSE profession. This could involve transitions from other roles or fields, the influence of internships or entry-level positions, or the impact of specific projects or experiences.
Career Progression: Mapping out the typical career trajectory for an RSE, including common job titles, roles, and responsibilities at different stages. This could also involve identifying key milestones, transitions, or turning points in an RSE career.
Work Environments: Investigating the types of organizations and work environments where RSEs typically work, such as universities, research institutions, government agencies, or private companies. This could also involve exploring the impact of factors such as team size, project scope, or organizational culture.
Impact and Recognition: Assessing the ways in which the contributions of RSEs are recognized and valued, both within their organizations and in the broader scientific community. This could involve metrics of impact, rewards and incentives, and career advancement opportunities.
Challenges and Barriers: Identifying the challenges, barriers, or obstacles that RSEs commonly face in their careers, and how these are navigated or overcome.
Potential Objectives
To meticulously document RSEs’ career paths, capturing the diversity of experiences and trajectories, including both traditionally defined success and less successful paths.
To critically examine and define what constitutes 'success' in the context of a research software engineer's career, considering a range of factors beyond just salary and position, such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, and impact on the field.
To identify and analyze the factors that influence career trajectories, such as education, skills, mentorship, networking opportunities, and personal characteristics.
Targeted Impacts
By illuminating the potential paths, challenges, and rewards, it could help RSEs navigate the complex landscape of this field, making informed decisions about their education, skill development, and career trajectory. It could also provide reassurance and guidance for those who are already on this path but may be facing uncertainties or obstacles.
The insights gleaned from this study could have significant implications for policy that affects RSE careers. They could inform the creation of targeted policies and programs aimed at supporting RSEs, by highlighting the areas where intervention is most needed and likely to be most effective. This could include initiatives to improve access to education and training, provide mentorship and networking opportunities, and address systemic barriers to career progression.
By identifying the skills and qualifications that are most valuable in this field, the research could play a crucial role in shaping RSE education and training programs. It could help educators and training providers design curricula that are closely aligned with the needs of the industry, thereby better preparing students for the realities of careers in research software engineering. This could also lead to the development of new courses or qualifications, filling gaps in the current educational offerings.
This potential activity was curated as part of "Charting the Course: Policy and Planning for Sustainable Research Software," a Sloan Foundation-funded project within URSSI dedicated to supporting the future of research software through evidence-informed policy work (Project contacts are: @danielskatz and @dr-eric-jensen). If you are interested in working on this, please add a comment.
Potential Activity Scope Conduct an exhaustive study of the career trajectories of research software engineers, documenting both successful and less successful paths, to provide a holistic understanding of the field.
The research could include a series of case studies to delve deep into the less successful paths, identifying common pitfalls, challenges, and barriers faced by research software engineers, with the aim of providing insights that can help others navigate these potential obstacles and identifying policy implications from these cases.
This research could address topics such as the following:
Potential Objectives
Targeted Impacts By illuminating the potential paths, challenges, and rewards, it could help RSEs navigate the complex landscape of this field, making informed decisions about their education, skill development, and career trajectory. It could also provide reassurance and guidance for those who are already on this path but may be facing uncertainties or obstacles.
The insights gleaned from this study could have significant implications for policy that affects RSE careers. They could inform the creation of targeted policies and programs aimed at supporting RSEs, by highlighting the areas where intervention is most needed and likely to be most effective. This could include initiatives to improve access to education and training, provide mentorship and networking opportunities, and address systemic barriers to career progression.
By identifying the skills and qualifications that are most valuable in this field, the research could play a crucial role in shaping RSE education and training programs. It could help educators and training providers design curricula that are closely aligned with the needs of the industry, thereby better preparing students for the realities of careers in research software engineering. This could also lead to the development of new courses or qualifications, filling gaps in the current educational offerings.
This potential activity was curated as part of "Charting the Course: Policy and Planning for Sustainable Research Software," a Sloan Foundation-funded project within URSSI dedicated to supporting the future of research software through evidence-informed policy work (Project contacts are: @danielskatz and @dr-eric-jensen). If you are interested in working on this, please add a comment.