Position Description

• Determine the optimal tech stack and guide the overall technical vision.
• Oversee hardware and server infrastructure and manage which internal technologies are adopted and implemented.
• Provide guidance to the research team in the technical design of upcoming online experiments.
• Provide input into the short- and medium-term technical strategies of the Harvard Skills Lab, including identifying development resources needed for the successful implementation of online experiments.
• Own the whole software development lifecycle from conception to deployment.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Experience working within game development contexts either professionally or through personal interest.
• Experience designing and deploying engaging user-interfaces and experiences.
• A blend of industry and academic background (preferably in a lab setting).
• Experience in early-stage and fast-growing startups.
• At least two (2) years of demonstrable experience as a full stack software engineer.
• Experience with one or more of the following technologies is preferred: Our stack is React (Typescript), Django (Python) and Postgres. However, experience in related programming languages is also great (JavaScript, Vue, Go, Flask, etc.).

Certificates and Licenses

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

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

Connections working at Harvard University Kennedy School