Principle Scientific Software Engineer | Kumar Lab

About the role

As a Principal Scientific Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in leading the development of cutting-edge machine vision software applications and systems to support research science. This position may work closely with scientists across JAX and/or external investigators. The incumbent will be at the forefront of designing, implementing, and deploying high-quality solutions in The Kumar Lab, creating behavior annotation software on the Envision platform. The role demands a highly skilled software engineer comfortable in an agile environment, with a commitment to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of high-quality projects from high-level aims to execution with minimal supervision from project sponsors/PIs.
• Drive the publication of applications resulting from these projects.
• Lead or co-lead efforts to identify new bioinformatics applications and technologies, focusing on obtaining approvals and funding for impactful projects.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and evaluate their integration into workflows.
• Provide mentorship to Scientific Software Engineers (SSEs) and offer technical leadership to the team.
• Actively contribute to the technical growth and development of team members.
• Evaluate and deploy improvements to team infrastructure, including project tracking systems, source repository integration, and automated build & deployment infrastructure.
• Stay abreast of scientific developments, faculty research, and industry trends relevant to the work.
• Develop innovative ideas for applications that meet evolving research needs.
• Represent the institution as a senior technical voice, both internally and externally, showcasing expertise and contributing to the overall technical vision.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10-15 years of experience with a BS or higher degree in computer science or bioinformatics. Significant prior work experience in scientific research software development is considered.
• Master's or PhD preferred in computer science or a related field.
• Ability and desire to work closely on a team, sharing responsibilities for code implementation, design decisions, and architectural choices in a fast-paced development cycle.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Background in biological sciences or a strong eagerness to learn and delve into these scientific domains.

Skills

• Working familiarity with technologies such as Python, JavaScript, HTML5, JSON, Java, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Flask, Go, SLURM, BASH, and web services.
• Specialized expertise in web and user interface design and development.
• Extensive knowledge of a broad range of software engineering methodologies, technologies, and scientific applications, particularly in genomics and bioinformatics.
• Drive to discover and integrate new technologies, languages, frameworks, and programming techniques.

Pay

The salary range is $121,924 - $176,790. Salary will be determined based on qualifications and relevant years of experience.

About the organization

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan, and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging, and heart disease.