Northeastern University is hiring: Front-End Web Developer in Boston
Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States, 02127
About the Opportunity About the Opportunity Since its inception in 2019, the Urban Griot Playground (UGP) has been driven by a singular purpose: to investigate the affordances of culturally grounded, rhythm-based tools and technologies to support children's acquisition of multiliteracy skills. As an example of such systems, the Drumball-Alphariddims allows rhythmic patterns to be used as multimodal elements (shapes, numbers, letters, words and phrases), by way of a rhythm controller connected to a mobile application. We want to gain useful feedback on how such an embodied learning approach to human-computer interaction can be optimized and applied in a real-life, early childhood learning context, and whether children can learn and use a drum language code for learning across various subjects (music, math, dance, etc). The candidate will be an integral team member in a university-community partnership effort to improve the ecology of early childhood through the gamification of learning. The Technical Sound Designer will work under the direction of Pierre Tchetgen, Assistant Professor, Music; and will be responsible for creating or compiling high-quality audio assets for interactive and for assisting with both design ideation and technical implementation of the Alphariddims game. This is a part-time, temporary position specially designed for a software engineer or front-end web developer to develop core design and programming competencies in educational games. There is 1 opening available for an Interaction/Information/Game design student/recent grad to assist with building levels and modules for a rhythm-based language and science learning game experience for children (ages 3-6). The position will be based at the Boston campus and will have the opportunity to collaborate with developers, designers, engineers, research assistants, early childhood practitioners, cultural experts, parents, children, and Advisory Circle Design Team members from other departments, centers, local organizations and institutions. Responsibilities Contribute audio/visual assets and multimodal transduction algorithms towards the building of levels a for an online, rhythm-based language and science learning environment for children (ages 3-6) Create and maintain comprehensive documentation (such as design outlines, diagrams, and visual mockups) that details the triggers, interactions, and subsequent events of specific features or aspects of gameplay Collaborating closely with the Design Team to optimize the user experience Qualifications Required Skills RESTful Web Development (Node.js, React or Ruby On Rails) Programming Language (Javascript, C#, P5.js) Strong interpersonal and communication skills Ability to self-direct and manage individual projects Experience playing/designing games or working with sound/music (preferred) Position Hours Flexible. 10-20 Hours/week. May change according to phase of the project. Position Type Temporary Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.