PHP Developer (with Laravel Experience)

Your main task will be centered around further development and continuing maintenance of FUMA (https://fuma.ctglab.nl/). FUMA is a tool developed by members of CTG aiming to perform follow up analyses post GWAS. Users from scientific institutes all over the world can upload GWAS summary statistics to be analysed on a server at the VU. The FUMA team consists of software developers working on tasks relating to the server, platform, and visualizations and bioinformatic scientists working on adding additional implementation to FUMA such as adding new data resources to facilitate GWAS functional follow-up. We are explicitly looking for someone with a technical programming background to lead tasks relating to improving and developing the server and platform. Apart from FUMA, there may be other (web)tools developed at the department where your input is valued.

Your duties
Possible tasks include but are not limited to:

• develop a system to prioritize jobs based on users' profiles (i.e internal users have priority over external users)
• develop scripts to remove jobs based on date of submission
• improve FUMA logging utilities
• maintenance tasks could include but not limited to: upgrade sqlite to mysql, upgrade Laravel versions, upgrade from python2 to python3

(candidates who partially fulfill these requirements are also invited to apply):

• has obtained a master's degree
• is an experienced PHP developer with a good knowledge of the Laravel framework (or knowledge of html or other related platforms)
• is familiar with database systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQLite
• has experience with maintaining an Apache webserver in a Debian environment, including technical work at the command line
• is familiar with Python and R
• has technical proficiency with Git
• knowledge in bioinformatics and statistical genetics (preferred but not required) or willingness to learn
• has a good command of the English language
• enjoys transforming new scientific ideas and insights into a realistic and practical workflow
• is a proactive, self-motivated, reliable and enthusiastic professional
• enjoys working in an academic setting: enjoy working within a team of different background (neuroscientists, bioinformatics scientists, and software engineers), take initiative to improve FUMA such as adding new visualizations, improving user interphase
  

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,960 (scale 10) and a maximum €5,439 (scale 11), depending on your education and experience. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1,0 FTE.

The initial employment contract will affect a period of 1 year.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor - from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 11,000 students.

About the department Complex Trait Genetics
Research at the department of Complex Trait Genetics focuses on identifying the genetic mechanisms of brain-related traits. We develop novel statistical and bioinformatics tools to optimally analyze large genome-wide data sets for complex traits, combine them with biological data and generate hypotheses that can be tested in functional studies to obtain mechanistic insight.