The Growth Lab at the Center for International Development at Harvard Kennedy School seeks a front-end developer to join our team. If you’re excited about creating original data visualizations, from the ground up, you’ll find that here. If you’re excited about big data sets and exploring new technologies, you’ll find that here too. If you’re curious about new ways to dramatically improve the livelihoods of millions of people around the world, you’ll start finding answers here, at the Growth Lab.

In this role, you’ll work with our full front-end stack – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, TypeScript, and Node – all while learning new libraries and technologies. And you’ll collaborate every day, with each member of our team, across the entire development cycle – from prototyping to design to deployment.

Your on-site work will be in the Growth Lab space, located at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The LEED-certified HKS campus offers shared working spaces, lounge areas, a glass-enclosed garden and a new cafeteria and dining space. By joining the Harvard community, you’ll have access to Harvard’s generous benefits package, libraries, classes, events, professional development opportunities and an extensive network of scholars and mentors.

In this role, you’ll have the best of both worlds: all the benefits of being part of a world-class institution, combined with the autonomy and agility of a growing tech team.

As a front-end developer at Harvard’s Growth Lab you will:

• Contribute to the setting of high performance, front-end frameworks and standards across all Growth Lab software applications like those showcased in our Viz Hub.
• Build complex and dynamic web-based data visualizations like those found in our flagship tools, the Atlas of Economic Complexity and Metroverse
• Lead the front-end development of aesthetically pleasing, high-performance, single-page web applications in clean, cross-browser, mobile friendly and standards-compliant HTML/CSS/JavaScript.
• Work with our product manager, back-end developer, designer and users across the full software lifecycle: planning, requirements, design, development, releasing and maintenance
• Maintain up-to-date documentation for all relevant front end aspects
• Help to optimize our Google Analytics
• Solve a variety of front-end related bugs, maintenance issues and researcher technology issues
  Occasionally present aspects of your work at staff meetings and Harvard event

Note: 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.

Additional Information:
Please note: This is an in-person/on campus position based in Cambridge, MA, with possible flexible work options.

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with the strong possibility of renewal.

Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Salary Range: $69,100 – $116,100 

Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate’s relevant experience, and internal equity.

Harvard offers a generous benefits package including:

• Time Off: 3- 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 11.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard
• Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.
  Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.