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Position summary:

At Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics (C3G) at McGill University, we build open-source Research Data Management (RDM) solutions that support every stage of the genomics and health data lifecycle. Our portals, APIs, databases and tools are the infrastructure behind national genomics and health data sharing in Canada. If you want your work to matter beyond the sprint, this is that role. Projects include:

• The Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL)
• The Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network (MoHCCN)
• The International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC)
• The Quebec COVID-19 Biobank (BQC19)

We also provide bioinformatics analysis software and high-performance computing services to the life sciences research community, including widely used analysis pipelines.

A Web Application Specialist will engage in the development of online data sharing solutions, notably the Bento Platform (https://github.com/bento-platform), which supports the Pan-Canadian Genome Library (https://genomelibrary.ca/), and many other projects in the fields of genomics, epigenomics, and life science.

Under the supervision of the Data Team Lead, the Web Application Specialist will implement and maintain client-side and server-side applications, extending the tools and technologies already in place using JavaScript (React/TypeScript), Python, PostgreSQL, Docker and more. Short development cycles will involve small but frequent releases, and constant interactions with the bioinformatics platform team members.

Primary responsibilities:

• Design, build, test, deploy, monitor and maintain high-quality interactive web applications using TypeScript with React
• Develop server-side applications (APIs) and scripts, such as back-end data services and quality control pipelines, using Python
• Focus on user experience, intuitive interfaces and interaction layers to create user-friendly web pages and applications
• Ensure implementation is done using the best coding practices, including documentation, unit testing, etc.
• Contribute in technological research and the prototyping of new clinical/genomics data services
• Setup and maintain automation tools for testing, continuous integration & delivery
• Optimise code when needed while making use of good software practices
• Use an issue tracking system to document tasks, issues and bugs, and their resolution status throughout sprints
• Ensure that all finished solutions work within a variety of browser types and screen settings along with the constraints set by development and design
• Contribute to the code review process

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

Hard skills:

• Experience with a JavaScript framework (e.g., React, Vue) in developing full-scale web applications is mandatory. Providing links to examples of web applications the applicant has worked on, either live or on GitHub, is highly recommended.
• Experience with server-side programming/scripting, such as with Python or Node.js.
• Experience with relational databases (RDBMS), such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.
• Experience with applications containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, Podman, Kubernetes).
• Undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering or related field.

Soft skills:

• Demonstrated sound intuition in making efficient and simple-to-use browser-based interactive tools and interfaces.
• Interest in developing fully open-source solutions.
• Having an open mind towards new technologies, with at least basic knowledge of the various layers involved in web application development (full-stack).
• Attention to detail, good communication and organisational skills and ability to work in a highly interactive group.
• Capable of getting multiple tasks assigned at once, and making them all progress steadily.

Strong Assets:

• Experience with Python frameworks like Flask, Django, or FastAPI.
• Experience with the Kubernetes container orchestration system.
• Experience with Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) or Extract-Load-Transform (ELT) pipelines.
• Experience with CI/CD workflow orchestration systems (e.g. GitHub Actions, GitLab Workflows)
• Interest in the field of genetics and bioinformatics.
• English and French (spoken and written).

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

Job Profile: