Full Stack Software Engineer (Python, Javascript)

Are you looking to be part of an initiative that will inspire millions to enact positive change in their lives? Are you excited to bring your programming skills to a highly talented team of engineers, researchers, and many more?

Led by Penn professors Angela Duckworth and Katherine Milkman, "Behavior Change for Good" unites leaders in the social sciences, medicine, computer science, and neuroscience, making this the greatest interdisciplinary effort in history to change behavior for good. We are developing an interactive digital platform to improve daily decisions about health, education, and savings. To this end, we are looking for a full-stack software engineer to support development and execution of the platform. Working collaboratively with research and development teams, you will develop and modify procedures to solve complex problems; be responsible for program design, development, testing, debugging, maintenance, and documentation; and maintain full knowledge of all phases of systems development methodology and strategies, while adhering to departmental technical, quality assurance, ethics and IT security standards.

In the United States today, 40% of premature deaths are caused by behaviors that could be changed, one in three families has no retirement savings at all, and half of college students drop out before earning a degree.  Behavioral science has the potential to radically change all of these outcomes—and more. If this prospect excites you, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Programming in Python (using Django framework) and various forms of JavaScript (front-end frameworks, libraries, APIs) and HTML5/CSS3. Possible use of NodeJS/Mongo + Angular or React

• Build research applications across a broad array of research methods including end-to-end web applications,and data collection & analysis

• Report to the project manager and collaborate with other software engineers

• Help researchers filter and query data sets

• Engage with faculty/PhD students to gather research requirements, negotiate timelines and procedures for research projects

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3-5 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Ideally proficient in the following languages: Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS. Should be comfortable with web development and software engineering principles

• UX/UI knowledge or experience a large plus

• Solid knowledge about relational databases, NoSQL data stores, database design and querying

• Recent demonstrated experience in needs assessment

• Experience with modern MVC programming frameworks, advanced SQL, version control, automated testing

• Systems administration experience

• Excellent verbal, written and technical communication skills and interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to learn new skills, and the desire to continue doing so

• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work effectively within tight schedules

• Other plusses: Polyglot programming skills and open-source software contributions; previous experience with academic research; previous experience with AWS or other cloud architectures

Compensation & Benefits

Employees of Wharton enjoy a comprehensive set of benefits, including but not limited to:

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Retirement plan and matching contribution (up to 5%)
• Staff tuition assistance
• Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays off
• Other extensive professional and personal development programs