Senior Scientific Software Developer – Bioimage Informatics

What you'll work on

• Architect, build, and maintain full-stack applications, services, and data platforms that enable image generation, management, analysis, and processing at scale.
• Turn image analysis and AI/ML workflows developed by CBI's image data scientists and AI/ML researchers into reliable, reproducible, production-grade software used across St. Jude.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs, web interfaces, and PostgreSQL-backed data systems for managing large, multidimensional imaging datasets (3D/4D/5D, terabyte-scale).
• Integrate and extend open-source bioimaging tools and standards (OME-Zarr/NGFF, Bio-Formats, OMERO, napari, ImageJ/Fiji), and contribute robust, well-tested code back to the community.
• Partner with image data scientists, AI/ML researchers, biologists, and other software engineers — and with collaborating imaging facilities and research groups across St. Jude — to build the tools they rely on.

Our stack and ecosystem includes the Python scientific computing stack (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-image, Dask, Zarr), the open-source bioimaging ecosystem (OME-Zarr/NGFF, Bio-Formats, OMERO, napari, ImageJ/Fiji), full-stack open-source web development (Java, JavaScript, Spring, Node.js, RESTful APIs), PostgreSQL, Docker, Maven, and Git. We also explore agentic AI and tool-calling frameworks such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This position reports to the Director of High Performance Research Computing and works closely with the Center for Bioimage Informatics as a collaborative team member. This is an onsite role in Memphis, TN.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform the detailed design, coding and testing of software utilizing established design/code standards and to the architectural patterns outlined by the architectural team.
• Design and implement new systems and features, as well as modify and maintain existing systems for adaptation to business and/or technology changes.
• Manage projects and provide subject matter expertise for production systems, document maintenance and system support procedures.
• Support continuous improvement by investigating alternatives and new technologies and presenting these for architectural review.
• Determine root cause for the most complex software issues and develop practical, efficient, and permanent technical solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to fix and improve products.
• Remain current on new technologies and available vendor packages; evaluate and make recommendations as necessary.
• Train and mentor junior teams on emerging technology systems and applications related aspects.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, information science, business, or related field required.

Minimum Experience

4+ years of IT experience in systems programming and development, preferably in comparable industry. Experience in SDLC methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, CI/CD). Experience in software systems design and maintenance. Experience working with business stakeholders to identify and document Requirements. Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.

Desired/Highly Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience in full-stack, open-source web development with strong proficiency in Java, Python, and JavaScript, and frameworks such as Node.js and Spring.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals: object-oriented design, version control (Git), testing, CI/CD, and shipping production-grade systems.
• Experience with RESTful API design and integration; familiarity with agentic AI / tool-calling frameworks such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a plus.
• PostgreSQL experience strongly preferred; familiarity with Docker and Maven.
• Experience building software in a scientific, research, or life-sciences setting — ideally with imaging, microscopy, or other large biomedical datasets.
• Hands-on experience with bioimaging data and workflows: working with image data, productionizing image analysis pipelines, or integrating AI/ML segmentation, detection, or quantification into applications.
• Familiarity with the open-source bioimaging ecosystem and standards (e.g., OME-Zarr/NGFF, OME Bio-Formats, OMERO, napari, ImageJ/Fiji).
• Familiarity with the Python scientific computing stack (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-image, Dask, Zarr) and with large, multidimensional image datasets (3D/4D/5D).
• Comfortable collaborating with image data scientists, AI/ML researchers, and biologists to translate scientific requirements into robust, well-tested software.