Position Overview
We are searching for a software engineer to help us document the diversity of life on Earth. The ideal candidate values meaningful work contributing to a global mission that builds on 350 years of Earth exploration and inventory to identify and describe the world’s biological and geological contents. The person enjoys solving problems, innovating software solutions, learning new technologies, and sharing insight and expertise. Help us document the natural world, and enjoy a collegial and…
welcoming work environment. You will be a valued colleague on our enthusiastic, competent, and collaborative team.
Biological specimens of plants and animals document the distribution of life on the planet and geological samples document its environment. Our group supports scientists in research centers around the world with software that manages and publishes information about the specimens of preserved plants, animals, rocks, minerals, fossils, and meteorites in their collections. Our open-source Specify platform is used by 135 museum institutions in 25 countries. Specify 7 is a mature, open-source web application built on Python, Django, TypeScript, and React. As a junior developer, you will work with experienced teammates to build features, fix issues, write tests, and improve a complex system used by research institutions worldwide. The platform must accommodate diverse institutional workflows while remaining flexible, maintainable, and reliable. You will gradually take ownership of larger changes as you learn the platform and its users.
The Specify Collections Consortium, (https://www.specifysoftware.org), is a global, non-profit, biological and geological museum organization, legally organized under the University of Kansas Center for Research. The Consortium is headquartered in the Biodiversity Institute on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. Our development team is intentionally small and operates with a collaborative, relatively flat structure. Rather than emphasizing management hierarchies, we encourage developers to take ownership of their work, contribute across the codebase, and continuously deepen their technical expertise. You will be a full-time university employee with generous benefits including comprehensive health insurance, retirement plan, 22 paid vacation days per year and several paid holidays.
This position is a hybrid position, with days required in-office in Lawrence, Kansas, with a flexible 40-hour workweek.
This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship. Candidates must be eligible to work in the US.
Technologies We Use
- Front-end: TypeScript, React, JavaScript, Tailwind CSS, Node.js/npm
- Back-end: Python, Django, SQLAlchemy, Celery, REST/OpenAPI
- Data and services: MariaDB/MySQL, Redis
- Build and deployment: Docker, Linux, Webpack, GitHub Actions, Nginx, Gunicorn
- Testing and development: Pytest, Jest, automated CI/CD, code review
Job Description
70%:
- Contribute to the development and extension of the Specify 7 web platform by applying sound software engineering practices in design, implementation, documentation, and automated testing to deliver reliable, maintainable software with a global impact.
- Develop, test, debug, document, and maintain software with an appropriate level of independence, seeking guidance when needed and taking responsibility for understanding and resolving assigned technical problems.
- Investigate software issues by reading existing code and documentation, reproducing problems, using appropriate development and debugging tools, and researching solutions before requesting assistance.
- Write and maintain automated tests and use testing, code review, and continuous integration practices to help ensure the reliability and maintainability of the software.
- Participate in code reviews by providing and responding to constructive technical feedback and applying established coding and architectural standards.
15%:
- Interact with team members to discuss software issues and features, and determine an appropriate technical approach based on requirements, existing code, documentation, and established development practices.
- Participate in technical and architectural discussions, contribute to decisions regarding implementation approaches, security, standards, and software design, and help improve development tools, workflows, testing practices, and DevOps processes. Research unfamiliar technical questions and use existing code, documentation, and appropriate development tools to independently investigate and resolve problems before seeking assistance when needed.
15%:
- Work with team members to understand requirements, investigate technical problems, evaluate implementation options, and contribute to solutions that are general, flexible, maintainable, and scalable. Develop a growing understanding of the Specify platform and its architecture while taking increasing ownership of assigned work.
- Learn and work effectively within an existing, complex software system, gradually developing a deeper understanding of the Specify platform and its technical architecture.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Biology, or closely related field with 2 years of professional software development experience OR a Master’s degree in a related field plus demonstrated software development experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of fundamental software engineering principles, including software design, implementation, debugging, testing, and version control, as evidenced by application materials.
- Previous experience with Python and JavaScript or TypeScript, with an understanding of fundamental programming concepts, as evidenced by application materials.
- Demonstrated experience learning independently, researching unfamiliar technical problems, and applying new knowledge to assigned work as evidenced by application materials.
- Fundamental understanding of how web applications work, as evidenced by application materials.
- Successful collaborative work in a team or group environment as evidenced by application materials.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills as evidenced by application materials and previous work.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in the use of the Typescript + React framework as evidenced by application materials and previous experience.
- Professional experience with front-end/UI development for end-user applications.
- Competency with a variety of object-oriented and functional programming languages as evidenced by application materials and previous experience.
- Experience with test automation, Agile development practices, CI/CD, GitHub, Virtual machines and Docker.
- Experience with relational database systems, including proficiency with SQL and principles of relational database design.
- Experience deploying and managing applications on Amazon Web Services (AWS), including use of services such as EC2, S3, and RDS.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience with cloud management best practices on AWS, including infrastructure as code, monitoring, and cost optimization.
- Experience working in a structured release process to deliver high-quality software to a user/client community.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience with domains including biodiversity, bioinformatics, museum studies, or environmental sciences.
- Experience with web development troubleshooting practices including use of browser developer tools.
- Experience using Git and GitHub in a collaborative software development environment, including branching, pull requests, code review, and resolving merge conflicts.
- Experience working with an existing codebase rather than exclusively developing standalone or academic projects.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application consists of:
- Resume including a link to a portfolio demonstrating software development skills. Examples may include a software portfolio, open-source contributions, technical documentation, descriptions of significant professional projects, or other materials demonstrating the applicant's individual contributions, technical skills, and engineering decision-making. Applicants should clearly explain their role in the work presented. A GitHub profile without context or explanation is insufficient.
- Cover letter addressing how you meet the required qualifications and describing at least one technically challenging software development project, including your individual contributions, technical decisions, and resulting outcomes.
- Three professional or supervisory references.
Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Application review begins Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Contact Information to Applicants
Applications must be submitted online at employment.ku.edu. For questions about the position, you may contact Aimee Stewart at aimee.stewart@ku.edu.
Advertised Salary Range
$70,000 - $75,000, commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Tuesday November 3, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Monday January 4, 2027