Web Application Specialist

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Position summary:

At Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics (C3G) 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 Frontend & UX Developer will lead the design and implementation of user-facing interfaces for 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.

Our platforms serve researchers, clinicians, and data managers across Canada. Our stakeholders trust us to do the right thing from a user experience standpoint, which means you will have significant autonomy in shaping the UX of our platform. There is no lengthy requirements process: you will be expected to develop strong intuitions about what works, advocate for the user, and drive UX decisions independently. If you thrive with ownership rather than top-down direction, this is the right environment.

Under the supervision of the Data Team Lead, the Frontend & UX Developer will implement and maintain client-side applications and shape the overall user experience of the Bento Platform using JavaScript (React/TypeScript), with a strong focus on usability, accessibility, and interface quality. Short development cycles will involve small but frequent releases, and constant interactions with the bioinformatics platform team members.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the UX design and implementation of the Bento Platform, owning decisions around information architecture, interaction design, and interface consistency.
• Design, build, test, deploy, monitor and maintain high-quality interactive web applications using TypeScript with React.
• Develop and maintain a coherent design system and component library to ensure visual and functional consistency across the platform.
• Translate high-level stakeholder expectations into concrete, intuitive interfaces without relying on detailed requirements.
• Contribute to discussions on server-side development as needed, collaborating closely with backend developers on API integration and data display.
• Ensure accessibility standards (e.g. WCAG) are met across the platform.
• Ensure implementation is done using the best coding practices, including documentation, unit testing, etc.
• Setup and maintain automation tools for testing, continuous integration & delivery.
• Use an issue tracking system to document tasks, issues and bugs, and their resolution status.

Other Qualifying Skills and Abilities:

Hard skills:

• Demonstrated experience with React and TypeScript in developing full-scale web applications is mandatory. Providing links to examples, either live or on GitHub, is highly recommended.
• Demonstrated UX experience beyond component selection: information architecture, interaction design, and the ability to make and defend design decisions independently.
• Experience building or maintaining a design system or component library.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards, such as WCAG.
• Experience with designing user interfaces for the visualisation of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Undergraduate degree in computer science, engineering, interaction design, or related field.

Soft skills:

• Ability to make sound UX decisions autonomously, with limited stakeholder input, and advocate for users within the team.
• Interest in developing fully open-source solutions.
• Attention to detail, good communication and organisational skills and ability to work in a highly interactive group.
• Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously and advancing them steadily.

Strong Assets:

• Experience with server-side programming, e.g., with Python or Node.js.
• Familiarity with applications containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, Podman).
• 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.

Bachelor's Degree 5 Years Related Experience /(MPEX Grade 06) $80,510.00 - $100,640.00 - $120,770.00

Job Profile:

MPEX-IST3S - Research Software Development - Senior Professional33.75 (Full time)Bioinformatics Manager2027-06-302026-05-12