Lead Research Software Engineer
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace differences. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.
The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five State Scientific Surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and across Illinois, the nation, and the world. Learn more at https://go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.
Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?
Highlights of Employee Benefits
The Prairie Research Institute is seeking a Lead Research Software Engineer who will research the complexities of indexing, curating, and sharing of biological, cultural, and social science data. Collaborate with research groups to deploy, maintain, and improve critical cloud software applications for the Prairie Research Institute. This position will be located in Champaign, Illinois.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Uses interactions with a broad array of stakeholders as the basis for research addressing the challenges and dynamics of using technology, new or old, to integrate, migrate, and share complex scientific data.
- Work towards standardizing data and metadata practices to better achieve abilities to integrate large datasets to address complex multi-disciplinary scientific questions.
- Research and develop data architecture and pipelines to mobilize scientific data to aid agency stakeholders in making informed management decisions.
- Engage with on-campus and institute researchers to provide technical solutions for data collection, maintenance, integration, and presentation.
- Author funding proposals related to primary responsibilities. This can include system operation and center best-practices-related activities.
- Participate in requirements gathering from key proposal stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of proposals.
- Extend, package, and deploy cloud applications to AWS.
- Oversee the continuous operations of institute research applications to ensure maximum uptime.
- Support users of research applications, troubleshoot, and resolve issues relating to registration, database operations, and reporting.
- Coordinate and deploy containerized cloud applications to AWS using an orchestration framework.
- Maintain the integrity of PostGIS databases and perform administrative database tasks as needed.
- Improve the Python Django backend and ReactJS front end of the system with bug fixes or new functionality.
- Engage with team members to identify key areas of the application needing improvement and prioritize tasks to address these.
- Support a proactive approach to monitoring the health and utilization of the system.
- Maintain an open and regular line of communication with researchers and external stakeholders to understand and aid in the effective, ever-improving delivery of digital applications.
- Work as a liaison between the scientists, agency staff, and software developers.
- Perform other duties as needed to support the mission and goals of the Prairie Research Institute, and the University of Illinois.
- Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in information systems, Engineering, Software Engineering, Project Management, or related field. Alternate degree fields may be considered depending on the nature and depth of experience as it relates to this role. A minimum of 3 years of experience in some combination of the following skill areas: Source Control and CI/CD (Git, Bitbucket, Terraform, etc.), Cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, Openstack, etc.), Containerization & Orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, Fargate, etc.), Full stack web development (JS frameworks, API frameworks, React, etc.), DevOps. Experience and familiarity with various types of scientific data (biological, ecological, cultural, social) and the ability to work with researchers and contribute significantly to scientific outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Python, Django, FastAPI, Javascript, React, Redux, PostgreSQL, PostGIS fundamentals, Keycloak, Experience with network protocols and security standards.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
In-depth knowledge of DevOps development process. Strong data management skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information stored in operational databases. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organization, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in the use of industry-standard software and knowledge of different scientific data standards.
Environmental Demands
The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves sitting for extended periods working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions for data entry.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis, renewable annually based upon satisfactory progress in the position and continuation of funding. The start date is negotiable and the budgeted salary range for this position is $85,000 - $95,000. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 31, 2024. Apply for this position at https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/12086?c=illinois&referralToken=MX8lYTz4-EapwaM-jNL-bA by using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. Application materials must include a 1) cover letter that clearly outlines your qualifications and experience as it relates to this position, 2) a CV or resume, and 3) names and contact information (including email addresses) for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Wendy Schelsky at schelsky@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirements, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.