Web Developer, Duke Center for Computational Thinking

Web Developer, Duke Center for Computational Thinking

Be You.

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 problem‑solving.

You’ll work on Duke Academy, our mastery‑based learning platform that blends AI‑powered tutoring, knowledge‑graph‑driven pathways, and interactive browser‑based coding. Every day, you’ll contribute to a product that is shaping the future of computational education at Duke.

Minimum Requirements

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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).

Other Requirements

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

Work Arrangement

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

Be Bold.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain features for the Duke Academy learning platform using Python and FastAPI.
• Build and optimize personalized learning algorithms using graph‑aware techniques and NetworkX.
• Implement mastery‑based and spaced‑repetition learning logic.
• Integrate AI/LLM services for intelligent tutoring and assessment workflows.
• Develop browser-based coding environments using WebAssembly (Pyodide, WebR).
• Build responsive, accessible front‑end 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.

Choose Duke.

Why Choose Duke

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 20‑year 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.

What’s In It For You

• 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.

To Apply

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.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Key skills/competency

• Python
• FastAPI
• JavaScript
• HTML/CSS
• RESTful APIs
• Git
• Test-driven development
• Linux/Unix
• AI/LLM integration
• WebAssembly