Research Software Developer

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Position Summary:
As part of the McGill Centre of Integrative Neuroscience (MCIN), reporting to the Senior Research Software Developer on the BHI Project, the Senior Research Software Developer will play a pivotal role in shaping core Brain-Heart Interconnectome Platform (BHI Platform) design features. This includes taking the lead in coding efforts, exploring innovative database approaches in collaboration with senior team members, and maintaining a strong grasp of the BHI Platform codebase, which will include the LORIS (loris.ca) and CBRAIN (cbrain.ca) codebases, and collaborating effectively with senior programmers. Important aspects will include: i) Lead interoperability initiatives, including maintenance and monitoring of the technical infrastructure for the BHI Platform. ii) Actively participate in senior developer meetings and contribute to the roadmap discussions. iii) Facilitate communication with scientists to enable tailored workflows within the system. iv) Take charge of designing, coding, testing, and maintaining both front-end and back-end components of the web-based data/project management research software. v) Mentor and guide new technical staff to foster their growth and proficiency.

This role represents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a national research platform and play a crucial role in advancing research initiatives within MCIN.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Enhancing the BHI Platform codebase by suggesting, developing, and implementing improvements while promptly addressing troubleshooting and resolving errors in the BHI Platform that could impact hundreds of BHI users.
• Offering senior-level expertise to define objectives for existing and future infrastructure and application systems, with a specific focus on the BHI data management system.
• Setting objectives for the BHI codebase, aligning with the technical director of the center (MCIN), and establishing workflows for multi-modal data, genomic, imaging, phenotypic and clinical for brain and heart analysis and processing.
• Creating and editing code documentation as an ongoing requirement. Additionally, providing guidance to the BHI initiative through regular communication channels such as weekly calls, email, Slack, and other communication tools.
• Collaborating seamlessly within a team of research software development professionals within MCIN, adapting quickly to support a dynamic scientific community.
• Ensuring the operational integrity of the BHI Platform by troubleshooting, maintaining, and upgrading virtual servers, associated research services, and complex information systems.
• Collaborating with BHI and McGill researchers and their teams to build infrastructure and the platform, plan and execute special projects, and meet the needs of the research community and external collaborators.
• Evaluating new BHI platform releases, optimizing and auditing related systems, and providing recommendations for solutions.
• Improving codebase efficiency through SQL optimizations, introducing new PHP and JavaScript features, and, when necessary, implementing low-level features for services or system administration.
• Maintaining direct communication with system administrators for MCIN, BHI and the university to ensure the smooth operation of all services and application layers.
• Proposing technical enhancements to workflow updates for new analysis techniques.
• Working in close collaboration with the CBRAIN team to ensure seamless integration of processing and analysis pipelines with the database system.
• Managing the technical aspects of consent for new e-consent features offered to the consortium.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

• Strong Python, PHP and/or JavaScript development skills.
• Strong coding and databasing background. Strong background in UNIX-based development, open web stack development (including LAMP stack) and virtual server management.
• Knowledge of database management best practices. Experience with multi-platform application development and deployment lifecycle.
• Strong ability to communicate technical concepts and work in a team environment.

Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day-to-day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree, 5 Years Related Experience

Annual Salary:

(MPEX Grade 06) $79,320.00 - $99,150.00 - $118,980.00

Job Profile:

MPEX-IST3S - Research Software Development - Senior Professional

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Senior Research Software Developer

Position End Date (If applicable):

2025-12-31

Deadline to Apply:

2025-03-24

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.