Software Developer

Description

Position Overview:

The Relata project, an initiative supported by the MIT-SenseTime Alliance, is seeking a software developer. Relata is developing an experimental search tool for humanities and social science scholarship. While most search tools are based on principles of keyword or concept matching, ranking results by popularity or similarity, Relata is building a search tool that surfaces previously inaccessible relationships of critique between scholarly texts.

The position is part-time for 6 months, with a planned start date of March 1.

Candidates may be based anywhere since the work can be done remotely. However, candidates based in the Boston/Cambridge area are preferred.

Interested candidates should submit a CV/resumé, a portfolio with code samples (e.g., GitHub profile), and a cover letter outlining past experience and interest in the position to Dr. Heather Paxson at relata@mit.edu. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until it is filled.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

The principal duty associated with the position is to develop a web application to support the experimental search tool. The project’s research team has already produced initial sketches and designs, but the developer will have room to exercise independent judgment in design and development. The position entails both back-end and front-end development.

Other duties as needed or required.

Supervision Received:

The developer will be supervised by the project’s Principal Investigator (PI) and project manager. The developer will participate in weekly meetings with the research team and/or project manager to report on progress and get feedback. These meetings may be held in person or via phone/video call.

Supervision Exercised:

The position does not exercise any supervision.

Qualifications & Skills:

REQUIRED:

Minimum of two years of work experience with software development

Familiarity with web development in Python and/or JavaScript

Knowledge of database programming in SQL and/or NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB)

PREFERRED:

Experience in libraries, archives, or other settings working with structured metadata

Familiarity with free and open-source software development

Knowledge of Semantic Web standards and languages (e.g., RDF, SPARQL, OWL)

Familiarity with critical approaches to information systems

Interest in questions of accessibility in design