Graduate College Funding Assistantships Assistantship Clearinghouse Web/Coding Developer (25-50% RA)

Web/Coding Developer (25-50% RA)

School of Information Sciences
ID
80

Percent

From 25% to 50%

Application Deadline

Type

Research Assistantship

Position Start Date

Description, Responsibilities, and Qualifications

This Web/Coding Developer position supports the Data Storytelling Toolkit for Libraries (DSTL, uiucdstl.wixsite.com/uiucdstl) project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign iSchool. DSTL is a research and toolkit development initiative focused on building tools and pathways that support library professionals in creating and using data storytelling resources.

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the DSTL project, including the awarded grant and the PI’s public-facing work as a speaker and consultant (see “talks”), prior to applying.

Position Overview

We seek applicants with web development experience who are comfortable working on an interdisciplinary research team to complete development of a data visualization tool. The RA will contribute to implementation and refinement of an existing prototype.

Responsibilities

  • Contribute to completion of development of a data visualization tool
  • Implement and refine web components within the existing project architecture
  • Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary project team
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

  • Strong background in core web development languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience developing with modern open-source web frameworks (e.g., Svelte, 11ty, Jekyll, or comparable performance-optimized systems)

Compensation

Position structure:
Specific compensation amount depends on your degree level, as per iSchool policy. Hourly work will begin Summer 2026 (25%). If performance is strong, duties may expand to 35-50% Research Assistant position (20 hours/week, dependent on sustained federal funding) beginning Fall 2026, with possible extension through Spring 2027.

Application Procedure

Please send:

  • a passionate and well-evidenced expression of interest (cover letter)
  • resume/CV
  • email of one professional reference

to Dr. Kate McDowell (kmcdowel@illinois.edu) by March 27 to be considered.

Please use the subject line “DSTL Web RA Application.”

Strong applications will reference at least one specific aspect of the DSTL project, grant description, or the PI’s public talks/consulting work in the cover letter. Applicants who demonstrate specific professional interest in humanizing data storytelling will be preferred.

In your cover letter, please also include 2–3 sentences describing one improvement you would suggest for the prototype dataset interface:
https://wondrous-fairy-1c9075.netlify.app/datasets

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and a brief Zoom interview may be required. Online and on-campus students are eligible to apply as long as they reside in the United States.

Contact Information

Kate McDowell
kmcdowel@illinois.edu
kmcdowel@illinois.edu
School of Information Sciences, MC-493
501 E. Daniel St.
Champaign, IL 61820