Junior Mobile Software Developer

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent research institution in Metro Vancouver is seeking a Junior Mobile Software Developer to contribute to the PolarUs app, aimed at supporting individuals with bipolar disorder. This full-time position is for a 6-month contract and requires collaboration with a diverse team, as well as a strong foundation in mobile app development, particularly in iOS and Android environments. The candidate should have an undergraduate degree and at least one year of relevant experience. Competitive compensation is offered, along with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of related experience or equivalent education/experience.
• Good working knowledge of iOS and Android development environments is essential.
• Experience building mobile applications is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Android and iOS versions of the PolarUs app.
• Implement UI/UX design enhancements.
• Assisting in back-end data analytics infrastructure setup.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Mobile app development

JavaScript/TypeScript

Git/GitHub

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Android development (Kotlin, Jetpack Compose)

iOS development (Swift, XCode)

Docker

Job description

Staff - Non Union Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Systems and Technology, Level A Job Title Junior Mobile Software Developer Department Michalak Laboratory | Department of Psychiatry | Faculty of Medicine Compensation Range $5,365.42 - $7,709.92 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date January 28, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date July 31, 2026

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

CREST.BD is a globally recognized research network supporting people to live well with bipolar disorder (BD) under the leadership of Dr. Erin Michalak. Since 2019, CREST.BD has been working on developing the PolarUs app, the world’s first BD self-management app focused on optimizing quality of life (QoL). The app features evidence-backed information tailored to BD, has been co-designed with people with BD, and is now being culturally/linguistically adapted for diverse populations. This project is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Daymark Foundation.

Under the supervision of Dr. Erin Michalak and the Software Development Lead, and in consultation with CREST.BD staff, the Junior Mobile Software Developer will contribute to the advancement of the iOS and Android versions of the PolarUs app. This work will require close collaboration with the PolarUs app development team, composed of a Software Development Lead, UI/UX designer and student developers.

The Junior Mobile Software Developer is a full-time position for a 6-month contract. This role will be both challenging and rewarding, and is best suited for a fast learner with a strong foundation in mobile app development and back-end data analytics infrastructure.

Organizational Status

The Junior Mobile Software Developer reports directly to the Principal Investigators, Drs. Erin Michalak and Steven Barnes, and the Software Development Lead. This position will also interact with employees and collaborators from various backgrounds and locations.

Work Performed

• Work on advancing and maintaining the Android and iOS versions of the PolarUs app under the direction of the Software Development Lead through:
• Assisting the lead developer in writing clean, maintainable, and well-documented code for new app features
• Implementing UI/UX design enhancements
• Setting up and maintaining the back-end data analytics infrastructure of the app
• Knowledge-permitting, assist the lead developer in implementing new artificial intelligence (AI) features such as translation capability for 3 new languages (Mandarin, French and Spanish)
• Conducting app testing, monitoring bug reports from users, and debugging
• Developing app updates and addressing possible security threats
• Optimizing app performance
• Utilize various coding languages, softwares and APIs to:
• Build responsive and user-friendly UIs using Jetpack Compose (Android) and SwiftUI/UIKit (iOS)
• Implement features using MVVM architecture and industry-standard design patterns
• Integrate backend services using Firebase, Firestore, Google Cloud and Google BigQuery tools
• Support app deployment processes to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store
• Assist the Software Development Lead with record keeping related to app components developed
• Create reports, present development updates to the team, and assist in the creation of documentation for presentations, grant applications and meetings
• Assist with the development of app user documentation (how-to and troubleshooting guides, FAQs)
• Regularly meet with the PolarUs app development team to strategize, ensure task completion within the specified time frames, share app development progress updates, and run demonstrations of components developed; attend other relevant team meetings, as needed
• Check emails during regular work hours and respond to/forward messages promptly
• Regular work hours for the position are Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, with occasional evening or weekend hours, as required
• Performs other related duties, as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The PolarUs app is actively being used by thousands of real-world users across the globe, and across multiple research studies. As a consequence, the development process can involve complex interactions between the incumbent, the PolarUs and CREST.BD teams, and/or users of the app. Incorrect appraisals could jeopardize the timeline for the development of the app and related projects, negatively impact the reputations of the PolarUS app and CREST.BD, as well as the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, and UBC in general. Communications with team members must be clear, timely and accurate.

Supervision Received

The Junior Mobile Software Developer will be directly supervised by the project PIs and the Lead Mobile Software Developer. The incumbent will also receive tasks and some supervision from other PolarUs and CREST.BD team members, and project co-applicants.

The Junior Mobile Software Developer must be able to work both independently and collaboratively. While working independently, the incumbent will be expected to set progress goals, manage their time effectively and maintain regular contact with the PIs and CREST.BD team. Communications will occur through weekly meetings, as well as through email, telephone and other communication platforms, as necessary.

Supervision Given

None

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of one year of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Tasks require strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to support other employees. This position requires a good working knowledge of iOS and Android development environments.
• Competence in programming both Javascript-based front-end components and also back-end components of a piece of web-deployable software is necessary. Competence in implementing and testing user interfaces is desirable.
• Experience building iOS and Android mobile applications, or components thereof, is required.
• Excellent working knowledge of Android (Kotlin, Jetpack Compose) and iOS (Swift, XCode) development environments and libraries.
• Strong JavaScript/Typescript programming skills.
• Strong understanding of client-server architecture, APIs, and website networking.
• Experience with Docker and automated testing is preferred.
• Experience with using Testflight for app testing and troubleshooting is preferred.
• Experience with Git and GitHub is required.