Hybrid Cloud-Based Lab Inventory Management System Developer (Internship) at ALS TDI

About the Role

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is the world's foremost nonprofit biotech lab focused solely on ALS research. We are committed to advancing treatments and delivering solutions through innovation, collaboration, and technology.

We are seeking a motivated and technically skilled student co-op to lead the development of a modular cloud-based lab inventory management system. This system will serve as the backbone of our lab operations – integrating barcode scanning, location-based inventory tracking, Slack-enabled operations, and seamless connectivity to our ordering systems. The candidate will periodically work onsite with lab staff to ensure the system is designed around our workflows, rather than requiring us to adapt to the system. The final solution must be modular, secure, and maintainable – allowing future developers to easily add or remove functionality.

Key Responsibilities

• System Development: Architect and implement a responsive web application for managing lab consumables, equipment, and biological resources.
• Integration & Functionality:
  • Implement camera-based and/or external barcode scanning functionality.
  • Integrate with Slack for inventory CRUD operations, low-stock alerts, and notifications.
  • Link with existing inventory ordering services for synchronized operations.
• Backend & Infrastructure:
  • Set up a cloud-hosted backend (Microsoft Azure preferred; AWS or GCP acceptable) with robust database design and serverless architecture.
  • Enable secure CRUD operations accessible from Slack, the web app, and SaaS ordering system.
• Location Mapping: Associate physical locations with inventory items for fast, accurate retrieval.
• Collaboration: Partner with lab scientists, operations staff, and IT to ensure usability, compliance, and security.
• Documentation & Handover: Produce comprehensive documentation covering system architecture, APIs, deployment processes, and user workflows.
• Project Management: Deliver on key milestones within a 5–6 month timeline.

Candidate Requirements

• Current graduate student in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• Proficiency in modern web development frameworks (React, Vue, Svelte, or similar).
• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure preferred; AWS or GCP acceptable).
• Strong understanding of REST APIs, database schema design, and serverless/cloud-native architectures.
• Familiarity with Git/GitHub and agile workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work onsite and collaborate closely with lab personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with barcode scanning libraries and hardware integration.
• Knowledge of Slack API development.
• Previous experience building modular systems designed for future extensibility.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a passionate and innovative team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of ALS patients.
• Collaborate in a cutting-edge research environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Contribute to impactful scientific discoveries that bring us closer to effective ALS treatments.