Senior Programmer Analyst - FlyBase

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. Harvard is dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Plan and conduct comprehensive application/web development for complex projects; typically work as part of a team to implement complex business solutions. Perform expert coding: design, develop code at an expert level, and manage development projects, teams, programs. May manage multiple projects simultaneously.

We are looking for a highly qualified person with skills in bioinformatics software development and extensive experience in scientific database production. A demonstrated interest in managing and integrating complex biological data is essential. The candidate will participate in a genome database project at Harvard University, Cambridge, collaborating with an international team of ~35 people to develop and maintain database applications and analytical tools for public research use.

The project focuses on Fly Base, a premier model organism database for Drosophila.

• Work is performed in an office setting

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of post‑secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional

Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of information technology applications, processes, software and equipment
• Highly specialized knowledge of a specific technology
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor
• Minimum of a master’s degree in molecular biology, bioinformatics or a related discipline
• 3+ years experience working with RDMS/SQL in a production setting
• PhD preferred
• Strong background in collecting and processing scientific data, preferably in Drosophila research; experience with Perl or Python in a UNIX environment is essential, and a working knowledge of Java would be useful
• Strong collaborative skills and familiarity with the model organism database community; interest in open‑source software development for reusable components

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

• This position is a 1‑year term appointment from the date of hire with renewal contingent upon funding and performance
• Standard hours/schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa sponsorship:
  Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment screening:
  Identity, Education
• All formal offers will be made by FAS HR

Some duties can be performed at a non‑Harvard location as determined by department operational needs. Employees may work remotely in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s policy on employment outside of Massachusetts.

Position is salary grade level 058. Information on the corresponding salary range and related details is available online.

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Well‑being and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.