Software Developer Wanted – Join the German BioImaging Team!

Are you an enthusiastic open-source developer eager to make a real impact? Do you want to be part of a small, focused team working to improve science through code? Then join us at German BioImaging – GMB e.V. (GerBI), where our mission is to facilitate the storage, exchange, and re-use of bioimaging data regardless of how large & complex.

We are looking for a Research Software Engineer to kick start the next phase of our development. If you are passionate about open science and want to contribute to creating shareable, accessible, and open resources, this is the role for you. Your first mission will be to drive OME-Zarr, a Next-Generation File Format (NGFF) to support scalable, cloud-based, multi-modal bioimaging data storage and management. As our network of collaborators grows, your role will evolve with new and exciting challenges.

All software and specifications produced as part of this project will be released under an open-source license as part of the Open Microscopy Environment (OME) consortium. At OME, we value collaboration, creativity, and well-designed code. Our mission is to revolutionize science by developing transformative solutions that break down barriers, making bioimaging data universally accessible and usable, and ultimately accelerating groundbreaking discoveries that will change the world. As part of our team, you will work remotely and independently, while collaborating closely with international researchers from the UK, Germany, Japan, the USA, India, and beyond. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage people of all genders and nationalities to apply.

• Design and implement solutions that ensure the seamless integration of OME-Zarr with existing bioimaging tools and platforms.
• Collaborate with international research teams to understand their data needs and optimize OME-Zarr for diverse use cases.
• Continuously improve the performance, reliability, usability and scalability of OME-Zarr for handling large, complex bioimaging datasets.
• Contribute to the development of documentation and guidelines to facilitate the adoption and use of OME-Zarr within the bioimaging community.
• Participate in the full software development lifecycle: from design, development, and testing to deployment and continuous improvement.
• Engage in open-source development by collaborating with the global community to ensure OME-Zarr remains at the forefront of bioimaging data storage solutions.
• Present progress, share insights, and contribute to publications and conference presentations to showcase advancements in OME-Zarr and NGFF.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in data storage and bioimaging to ensure OME-Zarr’s continued relevance and impact.
• Foster collaboration and communication with other developers, stakeholders, and researchers to shape the future of bioimaging data management solutions.

• Proven experience in software development, focusing on data storage solutions and cloud-based systems.
• Expertise in Python, Java, or similar programming languages, with a strong grasp of high-performance, stable APIs.
• Knowledge of bioimaging data formats, especially OME-Zarr and NGFF, or a willingness to quickly learn.
• Solid understanding of cloud computing platforms, scalable workflows, and handling large datasets.
• Experience with Linux, macOS, or Unix-based systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to create innovative solutions for the bioimaging community.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a distributed, international team and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience writing clear documentation to support software usage and adoption.
• Passion for advancing scientific discovery through open-source software and bioimaging innovations.

This is a full-time remote position, ideally based in Germany.

Application Instructions: Please send us your GitHub profile, code repositories, and any apps you have created to jobs@gerbi-gmb.de. If public links are unavailable, please send code samples in text files. For questions, reach out to Joshua Moore via e-mail at josh@openmicroscopy.org.

Application Deadline: 31. January 2025

This position is initially for a 24-month contract, with the possibility of extension depending on available funding. We look forward to hearing from you!