Web App Developer: Streamlining Psychological Assessment and Reporting Platform

We use a custom-built web app for conducting psychological and cognitive skill assessments such as personality traits, working memory, empathy, etc. You can think of these as very simple JavaScript mini-games that run in the web browser and collect and store metrics on our server, often about our students or study participants as we extensively use our lab for teaching and research. Based on the collected metrics, we then generate “customized” PDF reports that are sent out to the students or study participants. 

The lab developed organically over a decade, where different tests were added at different points in time. Currently, the lab works entirely, but the code is not organized in a systematic and modular way. As a result, there is manual work involved in creating the PDF reports, something we would like to automatize. 

Refactoring the codebase:

We want to make the web app more modular, maintainable, and automated. This project has two goals. First that non-technical online lab users could use the web app to run classroom experiments without having to modify any code. Second, that student assistants can easily implement additional assessments (i.e. new tests) without needing to understand the full code base. To this end, you will have to decide on a sensible structure and tech stack for the web-app and refactor the existing code (JavaScript and sails.js for the web-app; Python for the data analysis). This will also include writing tests and documentation for future users.

An important aspect of the job is that it will involve a lot of autonomy that has a side associated with freedom about how to approach the job and how to solve each task independently, and also a side associated with the need to be resourceful and resolve challenges autonomously. 

• Familiarity with full-stack web development
• Experience with JavaScript, Docker, Python, Pandas
• Motivation to familiarize yourself with a new code-base and learn the required technologies
• Proactive problem-solving attitude and resourcefulness during independent work

Essential Skills: 

• Proficiency in front-end programming languages, including JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
• Familiarity with back-end programming languages, notably JavaScript and Python

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience working with Adobe InDesign
• Knowledge of Node.js, MongoDB, Pandas, Docker, and R
• Prior experience with Linux server administration, specifically RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux)
• Experience in data analysis and interest in reading scientific articles

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits. Also we offer flexible working hours, possibility for part-time work and home office.