Astronomical Lead Software Developer

This competition is open to all applicants; however, internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This position has a term length of 3 years.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The staff member will join the research team building the Canadian Data-Intensive Astrophysics Platform (CanDIAPL; https://www.candiapl.ca/), an international, university-led team based in Canada. This manager will supervise the development of software infrastructure hosted on CanDIAPL servers operated with the Digital Research Alliance (Alliance; https://www.alliancecan.ca/) and the Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA; https://idia.ac.za). This manager will act as lead software developer for the “Multi-Messenger Portal” component of CanDIAPL.

Primary tasks will include coordinating and overseeing software development activities at the University of Alberta, coordinating contributions with five other Canadian universities and international partners, developing uniform codebase through a central repository, and ensuring that all components are interoperable and meet scientific and technical specifications. The incumbent will also coordinate, prioritize and oversee the project's software milestones, feature requests and bug reports, and participate in the project’s management committee. Throughout this work, the incumbent will facilitate multi-site collaboration.

(70%) Software Project Deployment

• Analyzing, recommending, and designing highly complex software architecture;
• Reconciling business requirements with information architecture needs for highly complex system integration;
• Designing, testing, and modifying programming code;
• Evaluating programming code to ensure it has validity, compatibility, and that it meets appropriate standards.

(30%) Team leadership

• Leading and planning IT projects;
• Developing project schedules including milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting;
• Coordinating tasks for projects and other strategic initiatives with stakeholders; and
• Serving as an expert resource to a group of professionals in the speciality.

• BSc in Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or related field;
• Minimum five (5) years of recent and related experience in software development and software product management;
• Experience in managing and offering technical advice to a team of software developers;
• Demonstrated capability to develop software in the programming languages required by the project (Python and C++);
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining interactive web applications using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, including experience with a modern front-end framework and integration with back-end APIs; and
• Ability to translate complex scientific and technical requirements into intuitive, accessible, and responsive user interfaces, with attention to consistent navigation, visual presentation, and refinement through user feedback.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

The Faculty of Science is internationally recognized for excellence in research and education. Through pioneering discovery and innovation, the faculty addresses global challenges across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, computing science, physics, mathematics, and earth sciences. Its work positions the university at the forefront of technological, environmental, and scientific advancement.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.