I work as a software developer in a scientific research institute with a large and mature informatics contingent. I've not been there long enough for my work to

I work as a software developer in a scientific research institute with a large and mature informatics contingent. I've not been there long enough for my work to directly facilitate research -- although the scope is certainly there and it's definitely starting to creep in, which is cool -- but plenty of my colleagues have made really meaningful contributions to the field. Moreover, while I appreciate it's more of an exception, there seems to be a well-defined career path for developers that doesn't involve going into management. I realise this is anecdata, but I suppose my point is that if an institution/field can see the benefits of software engineering skills -- i.e., ascribes it value -- then you're good to go and can choose where on the developer-researcher spectrum you're most comfortable. That mobility fosters a positive feedback loop with an institute's employees, so they get the best out of them.