Research IT

Image of a snow-capped mountain range and forest

Training in Reproducible Environmental Research

Apply now to learn about best practices in software development – especially if you already code but Virtual Environments, Testing, and Continuous Integration seem like advanced techniques to you.

After a highly successful first run of the Carpentries style course ‘Intermediate Research Software Development’ in March 2023 we are going to do it again! We reported on our experience in a previous article: ’Software Development Essentials for Scientists’.

We applied to a new funding call from NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) to provide training for NERC researchers and we were successful! Continuing with the great partnership between Prof David Schulz (Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences), Research IT, and the Software Sustainable Institute we are working on improving and updating the course materials taking all the valuable feedback from our first cohort of students into account.

The next workshop will again be held at the University of Manchester between 18 – 22 March 2024. It is a hands-on, work along the instructor course with plenty of small group exercises to practise the learned concepts.

Topics covered during the weeklong workshop will include:

  • Virtual and integrated development environments for code development, testing and debugging
  • Verifying software correctness
  • Programming and software design paradigms for software architecture
  • Code review to improve software quality
  • Code refactoring
  • Best practices in documenting, licensing, tracking issues, maintaining, releasing, and supporting software

By the end of the week attendees will have learned and practised software development skills which will be applicable both in research and in industry. Applicants need to have some experience in writing code in some language. The training will demonstrate taught concepts using Python. We offer an optional online training course which introduces Python to participants who use other languages in their day-to-day work. We also offer an optional online training course introducing the basics of Git.

Applications are open now with 30 fully funded (including travel, accommodation and catering) places available with priority for NERC-funded PhD students, however all postgraduate students and early career scientists are encouraged to apply. Please note that as part of the application you will be asked to provide a short statement (500 words or less) about how this workshop will help you with your science.

If you would like to help promote the training, a poster is available.

Closing date for applications is the 21st of Jan 2024. If you have any questions about the course or application process, contact Anja Le Blanc.