Position Description

The Growth Lab?s Viz Hub is an online portfolio of data analysis and visualization platforms built in-house by the Digital Development & Design team. Our flagship platform, The Atlas of Economic Complexity, delivers the ability to discover new economic growth opportunities for every country. Our award-winning platform, Metroverse, allows users to explore urban growth opportunities for over 1000 cities worldwide. In addition to these tools, the team has built over 35 additional software products, prototypes and digital storytelling features. Our digital tools serve over 30,000 monthly users, including policymakers, journalists from leading media outlets, experts at multilateral organizations, and members of the Harvard community.

As a front-end developer at the Growth Lab, you?ll work in a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and professional growth, with access to Harvard?s world-class facilities, events, and classes.

General Responsibilities:

In this role, you will both contribute to our flagship platforms - The Atlas of Economic Complexity and Metroverse - and create new visualization tools from the ground up. You'll work with our React, TypeScript, and GraphQL stack to enhance existing codebases while also having opportunities to architect new solutions as novel research projects emerge at the Lab. Responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of the front-end development of major data visualizations and UI/UX components within large, existing codebases and new ground-up projects.
• Championing quality standards development and testing, with meticulous attention to code reliability, readability, maintainability and documentation.
• Proactively engaging with design, backend and product team members to identify needs, scope feature requests and articulate relevant trade-offs.
• Participating in various phases of feature development, including requirements analysis, design, testing, brainstorming and sprint planning meetings.
• Identifying opportunities for technical improvements and bringing forward thoughtful solutions You will also work with a wide assortment of interesting data sets to build brand new, innovative tools at the Lab. This will involve responsibilities such as: Leading the development of research and data driven web applications that adhere to the Growth Lab?s high performance standards and design aesthetic.
• Building custom and dynamic web-based data visualizations.
• Planning and accommodating for various mediums, screen sizes and device types.
• Occasionally presenting aspects of your work at staff meetings and Harvard events.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two years? post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• At least 2-3 years of professional experience developing web applications using React, Angular or similar frameworks
• Demonstrated experience using modern HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Demonstrated experience building interactive data visualizations
• Experience with GraphQL and/or REST API frameworks
• Experience with TypeScript, Node, and command line
• Strong understanding of browser rendering behaviors and performance, including mobile development best practices
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Experience collaborating with team members through Git workflows
• Awareness of website accessibility standards
• Natural inclination to identify and address challenges with strong judgment and mature problem-solving skills
• Track record of contributing to team improvement initiatives and best practices
• Experience contributing to knowledge sharing within software development teams
• Excited to explore and learn new technologies and innovative practices in data visualization development
• Experience working within an Agile software development cycle
• Enthusiastic about initiating technical discussions and breaking down complex concepts for non-technical audiences Interested in economic and social development issues

As part of the interview process, applicants should be prepared to undertake an online technical challenge and demo samples of personal or professional work that best demonstrates relevant capabilities.

Certificates and Licenses

Additional Information

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

Connections working at Harvard University Kennedy School