Web Application Specialist

McGill University • Montreal, QC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics (C3G) at McGill University, we build open-source Research Data Management (RDM) solutions that support every stage of the genomics and health data lifecycle. Our portals, APIs, databases and tools are the infrastructure behind national genomics and health data sharing in Canada. This role offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects such as The Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL), The Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network (MoHCCN), The International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC), and The Quebec COVID-19 Biobank (BQC19). We also provide bioinformatics analysis software and high-performance computing services to the life sciences research community. The Web Application Specialist will focus on developing online data sharing solutions, particularly the Bento Platform, supporting projects in genomics, epigenomics, and life sciences. Under the supervision of the Data Team Lead, the role involves implementing and maintaining client-side and server-side applications using technologies like JavaScript (React/TypeScript), Python, PostgreSQL, and Docker, with short development cycles and frequent releases.

Requirements

• Experience with a JavaScript framework (e.g., React, Vue) in developing full-scale web applications is mandatory.
• Experience with server-side programming/scripting, such as with Python or Node.js.
• Experience with relational databases (RDBMS), such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.
• Experience with applications containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, Podman, Kubernetes).
• Undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering or related field.
• Demonstrated sound intuition in making efficient and simple-to-use browser-based interactive tools and interfaces.
• Interest in developing fully open-source solutions.
• Having an open mind towards new technologies, with at least basic knowledge of the various layers involved in web application development (full-stack).
• Attention to detail, good communication and organisational skills and ability to work in a highly interactive group.
• Capable of getting multiple tasks assigned at once, and making them all progress steadily.
• Knowledge of English at level #4 on a scale of 0-4.
• Must be authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec.

Nice To Haves

• Providing links to examples of web applications the applicant has worked on, either live or on GitHub, is highly recommended.
• Experience with Python frameworks like Flask, Django, or FastAPI.
• Experience with the Kubernetes container orchestration system.
• Experience with Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) or Extract-Load-Transform (ELT) pipelines.
• Experience with CI/CD workflow orchestration systems (e.g. GitHub Actions, GitLab Workflows)
• Interest in the field of genetics and bioinformatics.
• English and French (spoken and written).

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, deploy, monitor and maintain high-quality interactive web applications using TypeScript with React
• Develop server-side applications (APIs) and scripts, such as back-end data services and quality control pipelines, using Python
• Focus on user experience, intuitive interfaces and interaction layers to create user-friendly web pages and applications
• Ensure implementation is done using the best coding practices, including documentation, unit testing, etc.
• Contribute in technological research and the prototyping of new clinical/genomics data services
• Setup and maintain automation tools for testing, continuous integration & delivery
• Optimise code when needed while making use of good software practices
• Use an issue tracking system to document tasks, issues and bugs, and their resolution status throughout sprints
• Ensure that all finished solutions work within a variety of browser types and screen settings along with the constraints set by development and design
• Contribute to the code review process

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior