Full-stack software engineer - developing open source technology with real world Impact in Bath

Full-stack software engineer - developing open source technology with real world Impact in Bath

Bath Full-Time 40000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop and maintain software for the OpenFlexure Microscope, impacting global healthcare.
  • Company: Join the Humanitarian Technology Trust, a charity focused on technology for humanity.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, training budget, international travel opportunities, and a collaborative environment.
  • Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a focus on learning new skills.
  • Why this job: Make a real-world impact with open-source technology in healthcare and education.
  • Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with Python and web technologies.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.

Join the team at the Humanitarian Technology Trust building the Open Flexure Microscope.

The Open Flexure Microscope is an open-source, digital, robotic microscope used in more than 60 countries across education, research and agriculture; it is also undergoing evaluation for use in medical diagnostics.

Ultimately the goal of the Open Flexure project is to enable manufacturers in underserved areas of the world to sell certified diagnostic microscopes into their local healthcare systems.

We are looking for a full-stack software engineer to help us build the next generation of the Open Flexure software.

We are building a microscopy interface that is flexible enough for a global open-source community, yet reliable enough for scientific and medical applications.

We will be working in collaboration with manufacturers, healthcare professionals and regulators across the world, with a focus on enabling implementation in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

You’ll join a small team working across embedded systems, scientific imaging, web technologies, robotics, and UX.

The project spans a wide range of technologies and disciplines, so your most important quality is a willingness to learn new skills, tools, libraries, and techniques.

We care as much about curiosity, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving as we do about your existing experience.

  • Learn More
  • https://openflexure. org
  • https://gitlab. com/openflexure/openflexure-microscope

Salary

£40,000–£55,000 depending on experience and skill set. A higher salary could be negotiated for the right candidate.

Contract

Full Time, permanent. We are primarily seeking a full-time hire, though part-time arrangements may be possible for the right candidate.

Location

This role includes hands‑on work with hardware systems and therefore requires on‑site work in our Bath office 2–3 days per week.

Deadline

There is no fixed deadline, applications are reviewed as they come in. The role will close once a candidate is selected.

About the Organisation

The Humanitarian Technology Trust is a UK‑registered charity (Charity number 1212197) that develops technologies that benefit humanity.

The Open Flexure Microscope is currently our core development project.

  • What You’ll Work On
  • Developing and maintaining the Open Flexure microscope software stack
  • Building reliable, user‑friendly interfaces for scientific and medical imaging
  • Improving embedded software running on Raspberry Pi hardware
  • Designing extensible systems that support both research experimentation and production reliability
  • Collaborating openly with contributors and users around the world
  • Contributing to an active open‑source ecosystem spanning hardware, software, and documentation
  • Willingness to learn new skills and technologies
  • Good teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Strong knowledge of Python
  • Confidence using Git
  • Good understanding of software engineering best practices
  • Particularly Valuable Experience

Experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial

  • Fast API or other Python web frameworks
  • Scientific Python tooling (Num Py, Sci Py, Open CV)
  • Git Lab and CI/CD workflows
  • Vue. js or similar frontend frameworks
  • Embedded systems, robotics, Raspberry Pi, or Arduino
  • Bash scripting
  • Software packaging (Py PI, NPM, APT, Snap)
  • Networking and Io T technologies (m DNS, Web of Things, etc.)
  • Translation and i18n tooling
  • Experience working in (or collaborating with teams in) low-resource settings
  • Scientific instrumentation or calibration
  • Medical or regulated software environments
  • IEC 62304 training or certification
  • Website and documentation development

Why Join the Humanitarian Technology Trust?

  • Work on technology with real-world scientific and healthcare impact
  • Contribute to a globally recognised open-source project
  • Collaborate with an international community of researchers, developers, educators, and clinicians
  • Build software that bridges embedded systems, robotics, imaging, and web technologies
  • Help shape tools that improve access to microscopy worldwide
  • Opportunities for international travel to meet users of the software you write
  • A budget and time for relevant training and continued professional development
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Full-stack software engineer - developing open source technology with real world Impact in Bath employer: Humanitarian Technology Trust

At Humanitarian Technology Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work on impactful projects that contribute to global health and scientific advancement. Located in a vibrant community, we offer a unique environment where your contributions directly enhance open-source technology for humanitarian purposes.

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Contact Details:

Humanitarian Technology Trust Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Full-stack software engineer - developing open source technology with real world Impact in Bath

Join Local Tech Meetups

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Contribute to Open Source Projects

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We think you need these skills to ace Full-stack software engineer - developing open source technology with real world Impact in Bath

Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Compassion
Flexibility
Organizational Skills
Teamwork
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Humanitarian Technology Trust.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Humanitarian Technology Trust and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Humanitarian Technology Trust

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Humanitarian Technology Trust uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.