Software Developer: Computational Social Science & Digital Humanities

Description

The Stanford University Libraries' Center for Interdisciplinary Digital Research (CIDR) is looking for another outstanding software developer to join our friendly and forward-thinking crew.

We will especially welcome applications from women, people of color, and any others from groups who are under-represented in the software development community.

Please consider joining us here on the Farm!


CIDR Developer - 68515
Description:
Software Developer 2
Job Family: Information Technology Services
Job Series: Software Developer
Job Code: 4822
Classification Level: J
Exemption: Exempt

JOB PURPOSE:

The Stanford University Libraries’ Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CIDR) is seeking an innovative, experienced, team-oriented software developer to build sophisticated, sustainable, and generalizable tools and infrastructure in order to support interdisciplinary digital research in the computational social sciences and digital humanities at Stanford and beyond.  Regular tasks will include programming, analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, modifying, and maintaining computer programs in systems of moderate size and complexity or segments of larger systems.


The CIDR Developer will join a distinguished and widely-recognized team of software developers and academic technologists with combined decades of expertise in the computational social sciences and digital humanities. Its activities support research and teaching in these fields for the Stanford community. CIDR collaborates both with individual faculty and with centers and departments engaged in digital research, such as the Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA, incorporating the Spatial History Project, the Literary Lab, and Humanities+Design); the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS); the Stanford Humanities Center; and the Center for Computational Social Sciences.  CIDR is also a hub for collaboration and communication among social science and digital humanities scholars, library curators, and professional developers, promoting a sense of shared purpose in support of the Stanford mission of research and teaching.


The successful candidate will be a skilled software developer with a deep understanding of scholarship in the computational social sciences or the humanities. S/he will consult and collaborate with faculty on scholarly projects to identify technical approaches, processes and tools; evaluate and integrate existing software tools; and design and implement new solutions.  That candidate should have both a broad and deep understanding of current the state of the art in the computational social sciences or the digital humanities, as well as experience developing software for one or more of these domains: information visualization; statistical and textual analysis; natural language processing; event modeling; large dataset management and transformation; digital content creation, storage, and discovery; geospatial analysis; high performance computing concepts; or network analysis.

CORE DUTIES*:

• Conceptualize design, implement, and develop solutions for complex system/programs independently, in support of the computational social sciences and the digital humanities.
• Work with a variety of users to gain information, and develop intra-system tradeoffs between different users, as necessary; interact with a diverse client base and outside vendor contacts.
• Document system builds and application configurations; maintain and update documentation as needed.
• Provide technical analysis, design, development, conversion, and implementation work.
• Work as a project leader, as needed, for projects of moderate complexity.
• Serve as a technical resource for applications.
• Compare, evaluate, and implement new features and technologies, and integrate them into the computing environment.
• Follow team software development methodology.
• Advise, consult, and collaborate with faculty to provide project definition and analysis, including defining project scope, requirements and specifications, and project design. Recommend and assist with the integration and use of technology in faculty and library projects.
• Promote and represent CIDR, improving the visibility of its program, its standing, and its reputation across campus and beyond. Liaise with peers at other academic institutions and in industry, seek and develop funding opportunities, publish and present at professional conferences.  Review professional literature; participate in discussion groups and other forums to stay abreast of new methodologies and practices relevant to the computational social sciences and the digital humanities.

*  Other duties may also be assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.  Relevant experience may include work in one or more of the following domains: information visualization; statistical and textual analysis; natural language processing; event modeling; large dataset management and transformation; digital content creation, storage, and discovery; geospatial analysis; high performance computing concepts; or network analysis.  Experience working closely with faculty in an academic setting to create products that are acknowledged successes, and excellent verbal and written communication skills, are strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expertise in designing, developing, testing, and deploying applications.  Experience with software languages (e.g., Ruby/Rails, Java, Javascript, PHP, Perl); with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Oracle, MySQL); and with Linked Data technologies is a plus.
• Proficiency with application design and data modeling.  Experience developing dynamic and interactive media, and/or interactive scholarly works for multiple devices with experience implementing best practices for responsive design and accessibility is a plus.
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical clients.
• Ability to lead activities on structured team development projects.
• Ability to select, adapt, and effectively use a variety of programming methods; familiarity with agile software development practices.
• Knowledge of application domain, that is, the use of technology in support of social science and/or humanities scholarship. A graduate degree in a social science or humanities discipline is desirable.

Certifications and Licenses:
None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sit, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally stand/walk, writing by hand.
• Rarely use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

    May work extended hours, evening and weekends.


WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.