RESEARCHER (SOFTWARE ENGINEER) in Data Science and Cultural Heritage

Description

The NYU Archaeology Hub is hiring a RESEARCHER (SOFTWARE ENGINEER) to help build a next-generation open-source platform for collecting, managing, and exploring archaeological and cultural heritage data. Archaeological projects and heritage collections generate enormous quantities of complex data, including field records and photographs, scientific analytical outputs, 3D models, and computational imaging datasets. Working closely with the Antefixa Project, the initiatives of the NYU Archaeology Hub, and other NYU archaeological and heritage projects, the successful candidate will develop software tools that improve how archaeological data are captured, integrated, queried, and analyzed. The position will focus on creating intuitive mobile and desktop applications, APIs, middleware, and AI-enabled interfaces that connect diverse data systems and workflows. A key part of the role is developing user-focused advanced data design and ideation practice for a new heritage platform that will initially serve research teams at New York University, with aims toward broader community adoption. The role requires expertise in UI/UX design, data infrastructure for structured and unstructured data, and data modeling, along with a strong interest in user-centered design for archaeologists and cultural heritage specialists.

The successful candidate will have a commitment to research and expanding their skillsets while collaborating with archaeologists, data scientists, software engineers, industry partners, and museum professionals to develop scalable tools that support active research projects while contributing to a broader vision for archaeological data infrastructure. The role is particularly well suited to an early-career developer, research software engineer, or data scientist interested in applying advanced technical skills to real-world research challenges and building systems with lasting impact.

This position is based in New York and the selected candidate will be expected to work onsite as of their effective start date.

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will take end-to-end ownership of a platform and data ecosystem for archaeological and cultural heritage data, working like a technical lead in a small, fast-moving team. Initial work will focus on integrating and enhancing existing data structures for the Antefixa Project, which contain hundreds of thousands of data points, including archaeological records, scientific analyses, imaging data, and 3D models. You will partner with researchers as early adopters to elicit and specify user requirements, translate them into a practical product roadmap, and deliver working features. Responsibilities span the full stack: designing data models and a flexible, scalable backend that can integrate heterogeneous datasets across formats, standards, and projects; building intuitive interfaces that support both field data capture and long-term data stewardship; and running iterative user testing to refine usability and workflows. You will also build and maintain integrations that enable machine learning/AI-driven analysis (including natural-language interfaces and interpretive tools) and contribute to coordination of meetings, events, and digital communications for the NYU Archaeology Hub.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead development of software infrastructure supporting archaeological and cultural heritage data.
• Design and implement mobile and desktop applications for field, laboratory, and collections-based data capture.
• Develop APIs and middleware connecting databases, cloud storage systems, imaging repositories, and analytical datasets.
• Build workflows that automate data ingestion, validation, synchronization, routing, and file management.
• Design user-centered interfaces through requirements gathering, testing, and iterative refinement.
• Integrate machine-learning and AI-enabled tools into research workflows.
• Develop natural-language (LLM-enabled) interfaces for querying and exploring complex datasets.
• Support integration of scientific, archaeometric, imaging, and 3D data into unified workflows.
• Help evaluate and adapt software solutions developed through Antefixa for broader application across Archaeology Hub projects, collections initiatives, and stewardship programs.
• Contribute to long-term planning for interoperable archaeological data infrastructure.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position i