Software Engineer

87387BR

Campus: Tempe

Software Engineer

Job Description

The Arizona State University (ASU) School of Life Sciences and Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center (BioKIC) are seeking a Software Engineer to develop new services for the domain of biodiversity data management and publication. BioKIC is the leading developer and service provider for the Symbiota software platform (https://symbiota.org/), which currently serves more than 1,700 natural history collections and 90 million specimen records through 50 specialized portals and user communities, with functions ranging from basic data management to global data aggregation. BioKIC directly interacts with a range of Symbiota clients including academic, governmental and private institutions. The Symbiota team at ASU includes a dynamic group of project managers, informaticians, and biocollections and community specialists. Due to an influx of development requests and funds, we are able to recruit an additional team member who will focus on designing and implementing new functional services for Symbiota, as requested by the greater user community or required by particular portal clients. This is an entry-level position and well-suited for candidates with a strong general or scientific software engineering training background and a desire to learn and contribute to an open source, rapidly growing, biodiversity data-focused software project. Candidates with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The Software Engineer can be located in Tempe, Arizona, or work remotely.

Job Family

Information Technology

Department Name

Sols Administration & Faculty

Full-Time/Part-Time

Part-Time

Grant Funded Position

This is a grant funded position. Continuation is contingent on future grant funding.

Salary Range

$30,000 - $36,000; DOE

Close Date

17-January-2023

Essential Duties

• Closely coordinates activities with members of the Symbiota team at ASU; including IT systems managers, software and portal developers, and project and community managers.
• Contributes to the overall development and maintenance of the Symbiota software, documentation and web portal infrastructure at ASU.
• Leads or contributes to the development, documentation, testing and implementation of the Symbiota open source code base; including new portal/data configurations and new or upgraded functional software components (modules).
• Possible development tasks or domains of application may include:
  • Development of functions to improve the front-end login authentication and other user experiences (web development).
  • Developmental enhancement of the data model and diversity (including images and other media), data quality, usability, interconnectivity, storage (including integration with Digital Asset Management systems), and standard-compliant data publication and aggregation (e.g. via Application Programming Interfaces).
• Custom configuration of client-specific Symbiota portals; including software installation and updates, optimizations, data population, indexing, and custom data manipulations.
• Contribute to troubleshooting of portal performance issues, updates of Symbiota code versions and the propagation of new Symbiota functions or modules across all indicated portals.
• Contributes, in a supporting role, to portal manager and user community training.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with web application development.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and integrate back-end sections of the IT infrastructure with software development, portal data management, and front-facing services.
• Experience in multiple operating systems (e.g. Linux, Windows), programming and scripting (e.g. Bash, JavaScript, PHP, HTML, CSS), source code version control (GitHub), querying open source relational database management systems using SQL, distributed storage and filesystems, RESTful web services and APIs, writing documentation, and contributing to materials for conferences and workshops.
• Familiarity with the set-up and maintenance of application services (e.g. Apache, MySQL) is beneficial. 
• Familiarity with biodiversity data science is beneficial but is not required, as long as candidates are open to acquiring these skills through on-the-project mentorship. 

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and Curriculum Vitae, including contact information for three references.
Inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. 

Working Environment

• Activities are primarily performed in a regular, climate controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being stationary and moving between office spaces.
• Position requires use of a computer (desktop and/or laptop).
• Position requires the use of diverse communication methods/technologies to effectively communicate with the broader team.
• The Software Engineer can be located in Tempe, Arizona, or work remotely.

Department Statement

The School of Life Sciences (SOLS) has provided a vital hub for creative excellence at Arizona State University, with more than 670 faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff, and research that ranges from studies on biodiesel and biohydrogen to vaccine development and the conservation of whales. As ASU’s first academic unit to fully reflect President Michael Crow’s integrated, interdisciplinary vision for the New American University, the School of Life Sciences offers active and evolving platforms for collaborative, cutting-edge research and faculty whose discovery is freed from traditional institutional boundaries.

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

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Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume and Cover Letter should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.