"Web Application Developer (Consultant)"

Web Application Developer (Consultant)

University of Oxford - Oxford Lifelong Learning

Location: Oxford Lifelong Learning, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford. OX1 2JA

Payment for project: £50,000 including all additional, relevant costs

About the role

Oxford Lifelong Learning in the Department for Continuing Education is seeking to appoint a highly skilled and independent Senior Python API Developer to join our Business Systems Team on a short-term basis. The purpose of the role is to accelerate upgrades to our bespoke, Django-based, student data management system, Redpot.

This position will be focused on backend architecture and interoperability. You will lead on the development of a new API layer (utilising FastAPI) to transform Redpot from a siloed system into a connected hub. Your work will enable the in-and-out data flow of student records, university finance systems, and third-party services such as Mailchimp and Accredible.

You will be working with an existing codebase built on Django to implement a modern microservices approach using FastAPI layer. You will take ownership of the automated testing suite, writing unit tests for new features and critical legacy pathways to prevent regressions.

We need someone who can hit the ground running, work rapidly with minimal supervision, and leave the team with clean, well-documented and fully tested code.

By the end of the contract, you will have delivered a production-ready FastAPI layer for our student administration system, shipped secure and well documented endpoints for core entities (students, courses and modules, tutors, and locations), implemented or added to at least one integration (e.g. Accredible) with automated retries and monitoring, written tests and produced clear documentation and handover materials – leaving the team with a stable, testable, and well documented platform for further integrations.

We operate a hybrid working model. The team work 2-days in the office a week. Our designated team day in the Oxford office is Tuesday. There may be flexibility for remote working the rest of the week.

Application process:

Please click the above 'Apply' button for a list of specific responsibilities associated with this role as well as the person specification: