Web Application Developer

Description

JOB TITLE: Web Application Developer 

SUPERVISOR: Ocean Data Products (ODP) Program Director

Starting Salary Range: $75,000-$79,399

Overview: 

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

Ocean Data Products:

The primary role of the Ocean Data Products team at GMRI is to develop and support data management and cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) systems that provide access to real-time, historic, and forecast data in the northeast region through customized data products. ODP has served as the lead data management provider for NERACOOS (the Northeastern Regional Association for Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems) since the early 2000s. Additionally, ODP works with partners at GMRI and collaborators in the region developing products and data management infrastructure for fisheries, climate, and marine environmental data. Current projects include development of an infrastructure for meteorological and oceanographic data from offshore buoys and sensors, web based tools and dashboards for accessing water level data and model forecast visualizations, GMRI’s public-facing community science platform, and a data infrastructure for GMRI research data. The ODP team develops and supports web-based software and tools to access data and information about the marine environment. This team shares resources and project management duties as it facilitates and implements distributed data delivery systems to the ocean observing community and stakeholders interested in marine data.

Web Developer I: 

The ODP team is looking an early career web developer to join the team. The Web Developer I position is a full-time regular position based on-site in Portland, ME with flexibility around hybrid work and reports to the ODP Program Director. The position is aimed toward candidates early in their career with growing skills and interest in one or more areas of specialization that will complement the skills of the current team, such as: back-end development, data acquisition and integration, or DevOps. The Web Developer I will provide ongoing support and contribute to the development of the suite of web-based software and tools used by stakeholders to access data and information about the marine environment. The Web Developer I will work closely with the ODP program director, ODP programmers, research scientists, stakeholders, and designers to support and maintain these systems. The person in this role will collaborate with internal partners at GMRI as well as external clients in the ocean observing, marine science, fisheries communities, and other stakeholders interested in marine data. 

The ideal candidate for this position will have demonstrated knowledge and capacity to program web applications using industry standard programming languages, open source preferred. In addition, they will be an outstanding problem-solver with excellent coding skills, the ability to understand and work within a variety of software technologies, and the capacity to keep up to speed on industry trends and adapt to new technologies. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, web development or related field, or 3 to 5 years of equivalent education and experience 
• 3+ years direct experience developing consumer-facing web applications. 
• Proficiency developing in web application frameworks and environments (preferred: Django, Node.js)
• Experience developing and supporting content management frameworks (e.g., Python, Django, Wagtail, CKAN)
• Proficiency with client and server-side programming languages (preferred: Python, JavaScript, Typescript, Node.js, React)
• Experience supporting front end website development, including proficient knowledge and experience with web markup, including HTML5 and CSS
• Experience with relational and non-relational databases (preferred: PostgreSQL, MySQL)
• Demonstrated knowledge of web-oriented data formats (XML, JSON)
• Proficiency developing and implementing REST-based web services and APIs
• Demonstrated knowledge of repository-based development, preferably GitHub
• Familiarity with object-oriented programming concepts and their applications
• Demonstrated ability translating functional requirements into technical specifications and infrastructure requirements
• Proficiency in managing application environments with cloud hosting providers 
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to thrive on a team that manages multiple projects with fixed deadlines

Other Preferred Qualifications:

Because of the scientific nature of our work, familiarity or direct experience with the following technologies and approaches would be beneficial: 

• Integration of data from sensors and large, unstructured time series and gridded data sets (satellite, buoys, models) and data formats (e.g. NetCDF, xarray, Zarr)
• Scientific data management systems (ERDDAP/THREDDS)
• Developing mobile/touch responsive or platform-specific applications 
• Provide basic system administration for multiple servers and technologies
• GIS and mapping software (OpenLayers, ESRI, Google Maps, Leaflet, Mapbox, or similar
• Advanced front-end visualization libraries and tools (HighCharts, D3, or similar)
• Cloud storage services (Amazon S3, Digital Ocean)
• Container application platforms (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Workflow orchestration tools (e.g., Dagster, Prefect)
• Authentication services
• Development in cloud compute environments (AWS or equivalent)
• An academic background or previous work experience with marine science, fisheries, climate, or environmental issues
• Desire to work for a mission-driven non-profit

Diversity and Inclusion:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, family status, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, family status, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. 

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily provide certain status data to assist GMRI in fulfilling various reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet certain state or federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Salary and Benefits:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Application Instructions:

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Please include links to GitHub repositories or web based portfolio to review examples of your work. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected. The deadline to submit applications is October 25, 2026.