Research Software Developer

About us

The UCL Department of Computer Science (UCL-CS) is a global leader in experimental computer science research. The Research Excellence Framework (REF), which assesses the quality of research in UK higher education institutes, ranked us second in the UK for research and first in England. Our approach emphasises methodological rigour and reducibility, determining our strategy and underpinning our research education. The Multi-Sensory Devices (MSD) group is an interdisciplinary research group with a core interest in creating new forms of interactive multisensory user experiences through the development and exploitation of novel sensor and actuator technology. We are a full-stack research group combining physical and social sciences with prototyping, electronic control, computational fabrication, perceptual research, and experience design.

About the role

This is a Grade 7 position funded through a proof of concept grant funding. The purpose of the job is to help develop a software user-interface for the control and manipulation of our novel levitation based 3D printer called Acoustofab. AcoustoFab is a unique and scalable technology solution that allows for the contactless, cost-effective manipulation and movement of any material like inks, bio-samples, or chemicals for printing or lab-on-chip operations like pick and place, acting as a contactless pipette. Our system utilises targeted acoustic pressure for sonication and localised cleaning, contactless pick and place, and printing solid and/or liquid ink. In order to achieve the main aim of the project we identified four key objectives:

1. Creation of a front-end web-client: The main task here will be to develop a web-client, integrating the full functionality of our existing prototype (both hardware and software), and wrapping it into a intuitive UI that allow s any novice user to explore the capabilities of our system.
2. Creation of a back-end Infrastructure: Creating a cloud-based system, allowing user authentication, subscription and billing, as well as the secure communication with the front end to restrict the functionality available from the web-client according to the user's current subscription.
3. Application-led development: Help us push the capabilities of the device forward, either by working in new control techniques, integrating new capabilities or tailoring the current ones to the needs of specific customers.
4. Testing and Documentation: Produce the documentation and tests required to ensure a healthy and sustained development of our solution. This can include internal documents describing the software design and implementation, for the development team, as well as guides/tutorials to share with clients/end users. with expertise in software development for a graphical user interface for our levitation platf orm.

We are particularly interested in staff members who bridge the gap between research and professional software development.

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