Research Software Developer

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Position Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled research software developer to lead the development of the Canadian Open Neuroscience platform (CONP) Portal, a platform that facilitates the sharing of datasets, analysis pipelines, and experiment materials for neuroscientific research. This role is based at MCIN which, in addition to conducting neuroscience research, provides expertise and technical solutions for the research community, including neuroinformatics systems and platforms.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Participate in shaping the strategic direction of the CONP Portal, with a focus on user experience, system design, and sustainable backend architecture.

• Develop, refine, and maintain CONP's Flask-based application logic, ensuring smooth integration with the MySQL database layer and DataLad-based data management workflows.

• Optimize and automate data ingestion, metadata capture, and dataset publishing pipelines across DataLad and associated storage systems.

• Improve and maintain front-end user interfaces and JavaScript components to support intuitive navigation, dataset discovery, and researcher workflows.

• Provide expertise in defining UX requirements, platform behaviors, information flow, and system specifications for existing and future CONP features.

• Troubleshoot, maintain, and upgrade the CONP application stack, virtual servers, and related services to ensure platform reliability and performance.

• Plan, implement, document, and distribute research software, middleware, and operational tooling required to support the CONP ecosystem.

• Engage with the neuroscience and open-science communities to identify platform needs, gather user feedback, and implement improvements that enhance usability and accessibility.

• Define and support the full software development lifecycle for CONP components, including feature planning, code development, testing, deployment, and documentation.

• Research emerging technologies relevant to data portals, open science, UX frameworks, and distributed data management; propose updates to standards and development practices.

• Provide guidance or training to collaborators, junior developers, and external contributors on CONP systems, development workflows, and open-science tools.

• Evaluate new releases of CONP and its dependencies (Flask, MySQL, DataLad, front-end frameworks), perform audits, and recommend improvements.

• Code, test, review, debug, and deploy updates to CONP. Participate in code reviews and maintain clear, up-to-date technical documentation.

• Assist with incident response, user-reported issues, and operational notifications to maintain smooth system functionality.

• Contribute to policies, specifications, and practices that shape the long-term direction of CONP and ensure compliance with governance and ethics requirements.

• Conduct meetings with stakeholders, present proposed solutions, and provide clear recommendations to support decision-making.

• Foster a collaborative environment that supports efficient and sustainable development practices across the CONP team.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• University degree or equivalent experience in computer science, neuroscience, data science, or a related technical field.

• Experience with research data platforms or scientific data workflows, familiarity with DataLad or distributed data-management tools is an asset.

• Strong understanding of database systems, software development practices, and research-oriented infrastructure.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and collaboration skills, especially in researcher-facing or UX-focused environments.

• Experience working with relational databases (MySQL or equivalent), including schema design, optimization, and maintenance.

• Expertise with web application development using Python/Flask, along with modern JavaScript frameworks and front-end technologies.

• Experience with non-relational or distributed storage technologies is an asset.

• Proficiency with Unix/Linux systems and command-line development workflows.

• Experience handling large datasets or distributed repositories is an asset.

• Familiarity with version control tools (git) and collaborative development methodologies.

• Strong programming skills in Python, with additional scripting experience (e.g., Bash) considered an asset.

• Knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, accessibility/UX standards, and modern front-end toolkits.

• Familiarity with academic research settings, open-science practices, or community-driven development environments.

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 2 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.
For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

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McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence,