O'Connor Lab Software Developer

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The O'Connor Lab in the Department of Pathology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking an experienced software developer to design, build, and maintain a web platform for the Lungfish environmental monitoring project. This platform will integrate environmental data, analytical pipelines, and scientific reporting systems to support research, environmental surveillance, and public health decision-making. The developer will be responsible for the end-to-end deployment of the platform, allowing stakeholders to explore data through interactive visualizations, analytical reports, and training resources. The role involves designing the platform architecture from scratch using modern web technologies and professional design assets for a cohesive user experience. The developer will collaborate with scientists, data engineers, and research computing staff to build interfaces that integrate data from the Lungfish data warehouse and systems like LabKey, supporting the exploration of complex environmental monitoring datasets by diverse audiences. The position requires proven success in building complex, production web systems, with strong experience in interactive data visualizations, API integration for large data systems, and collaborative development workflows using tools like GitHub. Additionally, the role involves applying modern development approaches, including AI-assisted tools and large language models, to enhance software development, debugging, and data exploration.

Requirements

Applicants must provide examples of previously developed production systems, including links to deployed applications, public repositories, or portfolio materials that demonstrate their role in building complex web platforms.
At least four years of professional experience developing and maintaining production web applications.
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing complex web platforms that integrate large or complex datasets.
Demonstrated experience developing interactive data visualizations for scientific, analytical, or data intensive applications.
Demonstrated experience working with application programming interfaces and integrating external data systems into web applications with complex user interaction needs.
Demonstrated experience using collaborative software development practices including Git-based version control systems.
Evidence of successful delivery of production software systems in collaborative, professional settings.
Bachelor’s degree required in computer science, data science, information science, software engineering, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing software systems that support scientific research.
Experience working with modern visualization frameworks used in analytical web applications, including but not limited to D3, Plotly, and Apache ECharts.
Experience working with research data management systems such as LabKey or similar platforms.
Experience deploying cost-sensitive web applications in cloud environments or research computing infrastructure.
Experience using open-source software development practices to govern, maintain, and improve software with contributors at various skill levels
Experience using AI-assisted development tools or large language model systems for software engineering or data analysis workflows.

Responsibilities

Contributes to the development of data structure and systems performance strategies
Reviews application design specifications, codes new applications, and makes enhancements to existing applications
Trains and provides technical guidance to lower level staff
Designs and implements test plans, and prepares systems test data
Design, develop, and maintain public and restricted audience websites that often display data
Develop comprehensive understanding of the research data and biological science domains that underpins application and website development
Participate in other lab-related and collaborator activities as needed
Prepares program documentation and training requirements
Develops, prepares, or modifies technical specifications for complex projects, system integrations, and upgrades
Reviews application modules for quality assurance and checks compliance with application architecture standards
Conducts systems analysis, reviews and interprets system requirements, and develops detailed system design specifications for system integration and upgrades
Conducts analysis for the evaluation and selection of vendor software solutions and packages
Leads sub-functional team for application development or enhancement