Edtech.com's Summary

Harvard Medical School is hiring a Software Developer to build web-based tools for biomedical data discovery and visualization in the HIDIVE Lab, part of the Department of Biomedical Informatics. Working under senior developers, the developer helps integrate a natural-language conversational AI system into biomedical data portals so researchers can query and visualize complex biological data. The role pairs real ownership of production software with close collaboration among researchers, designers, and engineers.

Highlights

Develop and maintain web-based software for biomedical data discovery and visualization across several concurrent projects.
Build APIs and packages that move visualizations in and out of the biomedical data portals running the conversational AI system.
Triage and fix bugs and performance bottlenecks using browser developer tools across multiple browsers and devices.
Write tests and documentation and maintain open-source code, taking part in code reviews and issue tracking.
Contribute utility tools for metadata management and file format handling for genomic, single-cell, and bioimaging data such as VCF, BAM, BigWig, BED, OME-NGFF, Zarr, and SpatialData.
Containerize workflows with Docker, then deploy, monitor, and maintain the cloud-based services behind the lab’s software and data portals.
Translate scientific needs from researchers and domain experts into software features, and contribute to academic publications and technical reports.
Need one to three years of professional software development experience, with proficiency in JavaScript or TypeScript, Python, shell scripting, and web frameworks such as React or Vue.
Prefer experience with visualization libraries such as Vitessce, Gosling, or D3.js, plus familiarity with WebGL or WebGPU, LLM-based tools, or bioinformatics data formats.
Work fully remotely from a Harvard-registered state on a one-year term with possible extension, with occasional on-site visits at the department’s discretion.

Software Developer Full Description

Full-time

Work Format: Fully Remote

Harvard Job Function: Information Technology

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Salary Grade: 057

Department: Biomedical Informatics

FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Department of Biomedical Informatics

The HIDIVE Lab in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School conducts research at the interface of human and artificial intelligence. We create methods and tools that enable humans and machines alike to interact with and generate insights from biomedical data, combining state-of-the-art biomedical informatics, data visualization, and AI/ML techniques across the full spectrum of biomedical data. An overview of recent publications of the lab can be found on Google Scholar.

We value diverse viewpoints, creative thinking, and bold initiative in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary work environment. The HIDIVE Lab has an international reputation for creating high impact data visualization tools and we are driven to solve the most challenging design and engineering problems where biomedical data, humans, and AI meet. We would love to have you on our team!

Job Description

We are seeking a Software Developer with 1-3 years of professional software development experience who wants real ownership of production software and meaningful exposure to biomedical research. Under the guidance of senior developers, you will help integrate a natural-language conversational AI system for exploring biomedical metadata and visualizations into biomedical data portals, including developing APIs and packages to move visualizations in and out of these systems. You will work with researchers, designers, and engineers to build tools that allow scientists to efficiently query, visualize, and understand complex biological data through natural language and direct interaction with visualizations.

This role offers an opportunity to develop software at the intersection of AI, scientific discovery, and interactive data visualization - contributing to widely used biomedical data resources and community tools.

Core Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain web-based software for biomedical data discovery and visualization.
Participate fully in the software development life cycle across multiple concurrent projects.
Identify, triage, and resolve software bugs and performance bottlenecks using browser developer tools across multiple browsers and devices to ensure a seamless, high-performance user experience.
Write tests and documentation, and maintain reliable, open-source code.
Participate in code reviews, issue tracking, and iterative product development.
Contribute to utility tools for metadata management and file format handling for genomic, single-cell, and bioimaging data (e.g., VCF, BAM, BigWig, BED, OME-NGFF, Zarr, SpatialData, etc.).
Containerize workflows using Docker or similar tools for portability and reproducibility.
Deploy, monitor, and maintain cloud-based services supporting lab software and data portals.
Collaborate with researchers and domain experts to translate scientific needs into software features.
Contribute to academic publications, technical reports, and documentation for both lay and specialist audiences.
Stay current with emerging technologies in data visualization, AI, software development, and computational data science.
Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Minimum of two years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

1–3 years of professional software development experience.
Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, shell scripting, and modern web frameworks (React, Vue).
Familiarity with REST/GraphQL APIs, CSS, and component-based design patterns.
Experience with automated testing, version control (e.g., GitHub), and collaborative software development workflows.
Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
Working knowledge of automated testing, version control (e.g., GitHub), and package distribution (e.g., npm, PyPI).
Experience with Vitessce, Gosling, D3.js, or similar visualization libraries.
Familiarity with WebGL/WebGPU or emerging visualization trends is a plus.
Familiarity with LLMs, natural-language interfaces, and AI-powered development tools to improve efficiency and enhance metadata-driven applications.
Background in bioinformatics data formats, molecular biology, or genomics/single-cell/spatial biology data.
Experience contributing to open-source projects is a strong plus.

Additional Information

Term: This is a 1 year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.

Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Other Information: All interviews will be conducted remotely using a video conferencing platform.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that the duties and responsibilities can effectively be performed fully remotely at a non-Harvard location. Employees in fully remote positions must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

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