Software Engineers, Digital Library Application Development, MIT Libraries, Cambridge MA
Posted May 6, 2014
The MIT Libraries are seeking two experienced and enthusiastic software engineers with a passion for bringing knowledge and scholarship to the world. The software engineers will join a team of developers providing programming and analytic services to the MIT Libraries. In addition to general software development support for existing digital library technology platforms and services, this position will also contribute to new strategic initiatives such as the Libraries’ open access (OA) program.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Head of Digital Library Application Development (DLAD), the Software Engineer will be responsible for application development and analytical work, from requirements gathering to design, implementation and maintenance of tools, services, and web applications. As a member of the Digital Library Application Development group, the Software Engineer will work with other developers to develop and maintain the MIT Libraries’ digital library infrastructure, including, but not limited to, institutional repositories, digital content management systems, digital archiving systems, discovery systems, and other technology platforms. Additionally, the software engineer will collaborate with external partners and service providers on technology initiatives.
QUALIFICATIONS: Required – Bachelor’s degree. At least three 3 years of web application development experience in a Unix/Linux environment. Demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Ruby, Python, Java, Javascript. Working knowledge of XML and JSON and relational databases. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, work productively on multiple tasks, and manage competing priorities. Flexibility and a collaborative approach to innovation, problem solving, and working across organizational boundaries with technical and non-technical staff. Ability to produce high quality work both independently and in a team environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred – Demonstrated experience with rapid web development frameworks (e.g., Rails, Django). Experience with distributed indexing technology (e.g., Apache Solr) and NoSQL data storage systems. Proficiency with Javascript libraries/frameworks (e.g., jQuery, AngularJS). Competence in test-driven development practices. Familiarity with open source repository systems (e.g., DSpace, Fedora). Experience working in a library or academic computing environment.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Actual salary and appointment level will depend on qualifications and experience – $75,000 minimum. MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, and tuition assistance. The MIT Libraries afford a flexible and collegial working environment and foster professional growth of staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Apply online at: http://hrweb.mit.edu/staffing/. Please include cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community and particularly encourages applications from qualified women and minority candidates.
The MIT Libraries support the Institute’s programs of research and study with holdings of more than 2.9 million print volumes and 3.1 million special format items, and terabytes of MIT-owned digital content. In addition, rare special collections, Institute records, historical documents, and papers of noted faculty are held in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Library resources and services are accessible to students and researchers through the Libraries’ website (http://libraries.mit.edu/), and library spaces are widely available for both collaborative work and quiet study. Library resources are supplemented by innovative services for bioinformatics, GIS, metadata, social science and other research data. Through a culture that encourages
innovation and collaboration, the MIT Libraries are redefining the role of the 21st century library – making collections more accessible than ever before, and shaping the future of scholarly research. Library staff, at all levels, contribute to this spirit of innovation and to the mission of promoting learning, discovery and the advancement of knowledge at MIT and beyond.
The Libraries maintain memberships and affiliations in ArchivesSpace, arXiv, Association of Research Libraries, the BorrowDirect, Boston Library Consortium, DDI Alliance, DuraSpace, HathiTrust, CLIR/Digital Library Federation, Coalition of Networked Information, Coalition of Open Access Policy Institutions, EDUCAUSE, National Digital Stewardship Alliance, NISO, North East Research Libraries, OCLC Research Library Partnership, and ORCID. The Libraries utilize Ex Libris’ Aleph for its integrated library system and have recently deployed EBSCO’s Discovery Service. DSpace@MIT, a digital repository developed over the past ten years by the MIT Libraries, serves to capture, preserve and communicate the intellectual output of MIT’s faculty and research community. Other MIT repositories include: Dome, a second DSpace instance, providing access to a sizable image collection and other digital collections owned by the MIT Libraries; the MIT Geodata Repository for a diverse collection of GIS Data; and MIT’s DataVerse for licensed social science datasets.