Harvard Decision Science Laboratory

Cambridge, MA | Posted: 4 years ago

The Harvard Decision Science Laboratory (HDSL) is a university-wide, cross-disciplinary research hub advancing the science of decision-making. Our objective is to serve the community of scholars working in the many intersecting areas of decision science—including behavioral economics, neuroscience, and psychology—and establish Harvard as a leading institution at the forefront of research and writing in the field. HDSL serves all Harvard schools and departments, as well as universities and organizations across the country.

As the Full Stack Developer/Research Computing Specialist, you will provide technical support and development for the experiments being performed in the Harvard Decision Science Laboratory. You will be responsible for developing web applications, maintaining lab technology and equipment, providing general technology support to lab staff and researchers, and troubleshooting software and hardware. This is a high-impact, multifaceted position involving programming and software development for experimental research; network administration and data security supervision; website development and maintenance; and creative problem solving for research design.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and developing the lab's internal web application.
• Working with researchers to develop applications to support lab research and experiments.
• Meeting with researchers individually or in small groups to assess scientific and computational needs.
• Maintaining and updating the labs 55+ Windows PCs and Macintosh systems; coordinating with the IT - Department for maintenance and upgrades of network systems.
• Maintaining and supporting the lab’s suite of physiological recording equipment as well as operating and supporting the A/V system (security cameras, video cameras, and display monitors).
• Understanding and implementing Harvard University data security policies, and helping researchers understand the implications of these policies for experimental research.
• Maintaining relationships with vendors, supporting hardware and software licenses, warranties, and leases of equipment.
• Assisting with the lab’s business and finance operations.

Qualifications

• BA in computer science or 3+ years work experience in a related field
• Demonstrated software development experience, preferably in PHP/MySQL
• Experience configuring and upgrading Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP web server applications
• Ideally, knowledge of basic Windows administration, including Group Policy and Active Directory
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Combination of patience, determination, and persistence to troubleshoot technical issues
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines over a wide range of IT-oriented assignments, in a fast-paced start-up environment
• Experience in experimental laboratory research preferred, though not necessary