Web Developer

The Duke Center for Computational Thinking (CCT) is looking for a Web Developer to join our collaborative team advancing computational literacy across Duke University. In this role, you will build meaningful technology that directly enhances how learners engage with computational skills-from introductory coding to advanced computational problemsolving.

You'll work on Duke Academy, our masterybased learning platform that blends AIpowered tutoring, knowledgegraphdriven pathways, and interactive browserbased coding. Every day, you'll contribute to a product that is shaping the future of computational education at Duke.

• 2-4 years of professional software development experience.
• Proficiency in Python 3.10+ and async/await patterns.
• Experience with FastAPI or similar async web frameworks.
• Strong JavaScript fundamentals (vanilla JS preferred).
• Experience with HTML/CSS and responsive design.
• Understanding of RESTful API design principles.
• Git version control proficiency.
• Test-driven development experience (pytest, Jest).
• Linux/Unix command-line proficiency.

• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Experience integrating AI/LLM APIs (Anthropic, OpenAI).
• Experience with graph algorithms or NetworkX.
• Familiarity with adaptive learning or educational technology.
• Experience with WebAssembly technologies (Pyodide, WebR).
• OAuth2 authentication implementation.
• Familiarity with spaced repetition algorithms or knowledge graphs.
• Experience with content rendering pipelines (Quarto, Pandoc).

• This is a one-year term position.
• Occasional collaboration meetings may require onsite presence.
• This position does NOT offer visa sponsorship.

This position is hybrideligible. The employee must reside in a https://remotework.duke.edu/guidelines/outside-nc/.

• Design, develop, and maintain features for the Duke Academy learning platform using Python and FastAPI.
• Build and optimize personalized learning algorithms using graphaware techniques and NetworkX.
• Implement masterybased and spacedrepetition learning logic.
• Integrate AI/LLM services for intelligent tutoring and assessment workflows.
• Develop browser-based coding environments using WebAssembly (Pyodide, WebR).
• Build responsive, accessible frontend features using vanilla JavaScript and Jinja2 templates.
• Create and maintain RESTful APIs with JSON-based state management.
• Write unit and integration tests with pytest or Jest.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to architectural decisions.
• Collaborate with instructors, researchers, and content authors to enhance the learning experience.
• Maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions.

At the Center for Computational Thinking, you will join a mission-driven team dedicated to helping learners across all disciplines develop essential computational skills. CCT combines Duke's academic excellence, innovative research, and cutting-edge technology to build learning tools used by students, researchers, clinicians, and educators.

Our team is part of Duke OIT Application Development, a group with a 20year history of designing robust, user-focused web applications across the university. You'll work in an environment that values clean architecture, thoughtful design, and tools that make a real difference in how people learn.

• Meaningful work that improves computational education at scale.
• Opportunities to build modern systems involving AI, knowledge graphs, interactive coding, and adaptive learning.
• Collaboration with faculty and researchers in a top-tier research university environment.
• Access to Duke's community, campus resources, professional development programs, and faculty/staff networks.
• Competitive salary and Duke's https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/.
• Opportunities to mentor students through Duke's Code+ program.

Please submit:

• Resume/CV
• Brief cover letter describing your interest in educational technology
• Links to relevant projects or code samples (GitHub, portfolio, etc.)

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.