Group Leader Software Engineering

Position Overview

The NEXUS Personalized Health technology platform at ETH Zurich fosters discovery and translational research aimed at personalized health solutions. It encompasses a range of expertise including Clinical Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Software Engineering, Systems Operations, and Screening & Lab Automation.

Role Description

In a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment, the Software Engineering group is dedicated to building data-centric software products that enhance the usability of biomedical and clinical data. The group currently consists of five members and manages a diverse portfolio, which includes internal tools, research platforms, and applications developed in collaboration with clinical partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management: Structure and oversee end-to-end projects, ensuring clear scope definition, milestone planning, risk management, and adherence to documentation standards aligned with clinical quality requirements.
• Technical Leadership: Establish and uphold high standards across architecture, code quality, testing, documentation, and maintainability.
• Delivery Ownership: Lead multiple concurrent projects while translating needs into clear objectives, ensuring adaptability as requirements evolve.
• Project Acquisition and Customer Management: Cultivate relationships with researchers, clinicians, and partners, transforming initial discussions into well-scoped proposals with defined trade-offs.
• Full-Stack and Data-Centric Systems: Oversee end-to-end solutions encompassing database modeling, API design, and user-facing web applications. Familiarity with technologies like Postgres, Django REST Framework, and Vue.js is essential.
• Internal Product Portfolio: Develop project work into reusable components that enhance NEXUS’s offerings.
• Security Management: Advocate for solutions that maintain a balance between openness and necessary restrictions, ensuring fit-for-purpose protective measures.
• Handover Mindset: Build systems designed for smooth transition to real-world research and clinical applications, with comprehensive documentation and handover processes.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Partner closely with other departments to deliver integrated solutions from inception to completion.
• People Leadership: Mentor and develop team members, promoting a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Resource Management: Plan team capacity, prioritize tasks, and aid in budgeting and reporting for the group.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Our ideal candidate will thrive in an environment where they can:

• Build software that has tangible clinical and research applications, emphasizing quality and impact.
• Lead project delivery while managing teams and stakeholders effectively.
• Navigate a diverse portfolio of projects and stakeholder engagement.
• Engage in consultative practices, building relationships and managing project expectations effectively.
• Prioritize security and compliance in handling sensitive data.
• Manage project progress across stakeholders without compromising quality.
• Create reusable components while enhancing engineering standards pragmatically.
• Adapt to ambiguity, translating evolving requirements into structured deliverables.

Essential Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience within software engineering.
• Experience in directing delivery across various stakeholders and projects.
• Strong skills in stakeholder management, including trust-building and expectation management.
• Proven capability in designing and implementing comprehensive data-centric software solutions.
• Proficiency in Linux/Unix, scripting languages, and automation practices.
• Experience in containerization technologies.
• Excellent command of English communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in establishing team-wide practices related to code reviews, testing strategy, and documentation standards.
• History of developing software for security-sensitive environments, employing pragmatic judgment.
• Familiarity with data engineering, hospital IT, or clinical workflows is advantageous.
• Knowledge of German is a plus.

Work Environment

NEXUS emphasizes teamwork, valuing the exchange of knowledge among its members. With flat hierarchies and a proactive approach, the platform offers flexible working hours, family-friendly options, training opportunities, and the opportunity to operate within the forefront of translational research.