Lead Developer (Stanford Literary Lab)

Description

The Stanford Literary Lab is a research group that specializes in the computational and quantitative analysis of textual materials, particularly Literature. Housed in the Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA), the Literary Lab maintains a roster of internal research projects, as well as a set of collaborations, both within Stanford, and with other research centers and scholars outside of the University, both nationally and internationally. Work on these involves text mining, natural language processing tasks, statistical modeling and visualization design. For more information on the Literary Lab, please see: litlab.stanford.edu

JOB PURPOSE:
Execute all programming tasks, including programming, analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, modifying, and maintaining computer programs. Work on systems of moderate size and complexity or segments of larger systems.

Initially, this is a one-year fixed term position at 75% time. We seek to hire a lead digital humanities developer who will provide close computational and analytical support to current and future researchers at the lab. The lead developer will work closely with lab members, both faculty and students, on creating new analytical workflows on a project by project basis, and developing and implementing code that supports the core research work of the lab. Duties will include serving as the lead programmer on lab projects, writing code for feature identification and extraction, designing new visualizations for research outcomes, attending project and lab meetings on a regular basis and maintaining the Lab’s textual corpus repository, including designing an interface and/or API to provide access to this material. As the demands of individual projects at the lab are unique, the lead developer will be responsible for designing ad hoc computational solutions on a case by case basis, as well as developing multi-use programs that are accessible to researchers in the humanities. As the Literary Lab is part of the larger Stanford Digital Humanities community, the Lead Developer will also coordinate his or her activities with members of the Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis and its member research groups, including the Spatial History Project, Humanities + Design and Text Technologies.

It is expected that the Lead Developer will dedicate a portion of their time designing and implementing their own research projects, in keeping with the research goals and mission of the Literary Lab and in close consultation with lab directors. As a member of the Literary Lab and in accordance with our research practices, the lead developer we seek to hire will also be credited on lab publications for projects that they support.

CORE DUTIES*:
• Conceptualize design, implement, and develop solutions for complex system/programs independently.
• 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.
• Mentor lower level software developers.
* - Other duties may also be assigned, not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Expertise in designing, developing, testing, and deploying applications.
• Proficiency with application design and data modeling.
• 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.
• Knowledge of application domain.

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.

ABOUT STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Stanford University, located between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities. Since its opening in 1891, Stanford has been dedicated to finding solutions to big challenges and to preparing students for leadership in a complex world.

Supporting that mission is a staff of more than 10,000, which is rooted in a culture of excellence and values innovation, collaboration, and life-long learning. To foster the talents and aspirations of our staff, Stanford offers career development programs, competitive pay that reflects market trends and benefits that increase financial stability and promote healthy, fulfilling lives. An award-winning employer, Stanford offers an exceptional setting for professionals looking to advance their careers.

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.