Full Stack Web Developer

About The Company

Verein der Europäischer Bürgerwissenschaften ECSA e.V. is a prominent European membership organization dedicated to advancing citizen science initiatives across the continent. Our mission is to foster a vibrant ecosystem where citizens, researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations collaborate to enhance participatory research and community-driven projects. We operate the open-source platform citizenscience.eu, which serves as a central hub for resources, project collaboration, and community engagement within the citizen science domain. Our headquarters in Berlin, located at the Museum für Naturkunde, is home to a dedicated team of approximately 20 professionals committed to strengthening the role of citizen science in societal development and scientific research. We work closely with a broad network of partners across sectors, promoting innovation, inclusivity, and open knowledge sharing to empower communities and advance scientific literacy throughout Europe.

About The Role

We are seeking a skilled Full-Stack Web Developer to join our dynamic team and contribute to the ongoing development and maintenance of the citizenscience.eu platform. This role is integral to ensuring the platform remains secure, reliable, and user-friendly for an international community of researchers, volunteers, and organizations engaged in citizen science. The successful candidate will primarily work with Python and Django to enhance existing functionalities, develop new features, and optimize system performance. Additionally, the role involves managing the platform's infrastructure, including Virtual Private Servers (VPS), deploying updates, and troubleshooting technical issues. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on a mission-driven project that supports open-source development and community engagement in science, within a collaborative environment that values innovation and continuous improvement. The role is based in Berlin, with flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance and productivity.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in web development and system administration, including:

• Extensive experience with Python and Django frameworks.
• Proficiency in working with PostgreSQL databases.
• Hands-on experience setting up and maintaining Virtual Private Servers (VPS).
• Proven track record of deploying and maintaining production-ready code.
• Experience in maintaining and improving existing web platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a small, international team environment.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Full-stack development experience is advantageous.
• Basic knowledge of JavaScript is preferred.
• Experience with Moodle administration or development is a plus.
• Interest or experience in open-source projects and community-driven initiatives.
• Additional familiarity with REST APIs and modern frontend frameworks is beneficial.
  
  

Candidates should demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and enhance features for the citizenscience.eu platform utilizing Python and Django.
• Maintain and optimize the existing platform infrastructure and codebase for stability and security.
• Manage and oversee the Virtual Private Server (VPS) environment, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Implement secure deployment procedures and ensure reliable operation of production systems.
• Monitor platform performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement bug fixes promptly.
• Collaborate with the ECSA team and external partners to plan and execute new platform features and improvements.
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation to support ongoing maintenance and knowledge sharing.
• Provide light internal IT support to ensure smooth operational workflows.
  
  

The role requires a proactive approach to system monitoring, security, and user experience enhancement, ensuring the platform remains a valuable resource for the citizen science community across Europe.

Benefits

Joining our team offers numerous benefits, including:

• The chance to work on a meaningful, mission-driven project that promotes citizen engagement in science.
• Opportunity to contribute to an open-source platform with a broad European reach.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment with a highly motivated international team.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and remote options, to support work-life balance.
• Workplace located at the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, a vibrant cultural and scientific hub.
• Continuous professional development opportunities through engagement with innovative technologies and community projects.
  
  

Equal Opportunity

Verein der Europäischer Bürgerwissenschaften ECSA e.V. is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe that a diverse team enhances creativity, innovation, and the overall success of our mission. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply and join us in advancing citizen science across Europe.