Full Stack Developer - UX Focus (Web and Digital) - IT Services - 102651 - Grade 6

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Full Stack Developer - UX Focus (Web and Digital)

Company: University of Birmingham

Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time, Fixed Term (up to 12 months)

Category: IT Services / Digital Development

Date Posted: 23 August 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and maintain secure, responsive, and accessible web applications across both front-end and back-end, focusing on user experience.

• Collaborate closely with UX/UI designers, product owners, and users to translate requirements and design concepts into functional digital products.

• Contribute to user experience (UX) activities such as prototyping, usability testing, and design reviews, integrating technical knowledge into the design process.

• Work within an Agile Scrum team, participating in all phases of the software development lifecycle from development to deployment and ongoing support.

• Uphold university design system and web accessibility standards (WCAG) in all development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the University of Birmingham's IT Services department, specifically the Web and Digital team, indicating a focus on developing digital products that serve students, staff, researchers, and external audiences. The "UX Focus" in the title, coupled with the description of contributing to UX activities and working alongside UX specialists, suggests that while this is a development role, a strong user-centric mindset and an ability to integrate UX principles into coding practices are paramount. The "Grade 6" designation typically implies a mid-level professional with a solid foundation of experience and the ability to work with some autonomy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain secure, responsive, and maintainable web applications using modern technologies across front-end and back-end stacks.

• Write clean, tested, and well-documented code, adhering to team development standards and participating actively in code reviews.

• Collaborate effectively with UX designers and stakeholders to understand user needs and translate them into intuitive and functional user interfaces.

• Build accessible and responsive user interfaces, ensuring adherence to the University's established design system and web accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Contribute to technical design discussions and maintain essential technical documentation under the guidance of senior team members.

• Write unit tests and support integration and user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure software quality and defect resolution.

• Utilize GitHub or similar modern source control workflows for code management and contribute to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines using tools like Azure DevOps.

• Participate actively in Agile Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and sprint reviews.

• Provide support for production applications by investigating and resolving software defects and performance issues in collaboration with senior developers.

• Continuously learn and stay updated with modern development technologies, engineering practices, and user-centered development principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a balanced approach between core software engineering and user-centric design. The emphasis on "secure, responsive, and maintainable" applications, coupled with "clean, tested, and well-documented code," points to a need for robust development practices. The requirement to "collaborate effectively with UX designers" and "build accessible and responsive user interfaces" underscores the UX focus. Participation in "Agile Scrum ceremonies" and the use of "GitHub/Azure DevOps" are standard for modern development teams. The mention of contributing to "technical design" and "documentation" suggests an expectation for the developer to understand the broader system architecture, not just coding tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree in computing, software engineering, or a related discipline; or equivalent practical experience, such as from a software engineering bootcamp, academic projects, personal projects, internships, placements, or open-source contributions.

Experience: Approximately 2 to 4 years of professional development experience.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in web application development using modern programming languages and frameworks, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript or TypeScript.

• Understanding of database concepts and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

• Experience developing responsive web applications that adapt to various screen sizes and devices.

• Awareness of software testing methodologies and quality assurance principles.

• Experience utilizing modern source control workflows, specifically with GitHub.

• Understanding of Agile development methodologies and practices.

• Foundational knowledge of secure coding principles and web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Strong problem-solving and debugging capabilities.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with UX designers, product owners, and other technical and business stakeholders.

• Demonstrated interest in creating intuitive and user-friendly digital experiences.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills for effective teamwork and stakeholder interaction.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a dynamic development environment.

• Capacity to work effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

• Aptitude for quickly learning new technologies and development practices. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with front-end frameworks such as React or Vue.js.

• Proficiency in TypeScript.

• Experience with back-end frameworks like .NET or other modern development stacks.

• Experience developing or consuming RESTful APIs.

• Familiarity with SQL databases.

• Experience writing automated unit or integration tests.

• Experience using development platforms such as Azure DevOps or GitHub.

• Familiarity with design and prototyping tools like Figma.

• Deeper understanding of WCAG guidelines and practical application in accessible web development.

• Experience working with design systems or developing reusable UI components.

• Experience participating in usability testing or user research activities.

• Experience deploying applications using cloud platforms or CI/CD pipelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section is well-defined, emphasizing core web development competencies and essential soft skills. The "Preferred Skills" section provides a clear roadmap for candidates looking to enhance their application, indicating specific technologies and practices that would be advantageous. The mention of "equivalent practical experience" is crucial, opening the door for candidates without formal degrees but with demonstrable project work. The "What We're Looking For" section further clarifies that the primary focus is on developers who are mindful of the user, rather than dedicated UX designers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of full-stack web applications developed, showcasing both front-end UI and back-end functionality.

• Code samples (e.g., from GitHub) that highlight clean, well-structured, and maintainable code, with clear commit history.

• Examples of responsive design implementation across different device types and screen resolutions.

• Documentation or case studies detailing the development process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented for specific features or projects.

• Evidence of application of accessibility standards (WCAG) in developed projects, if possible. Process Documentation:

• Ability to contribute to and maintain technical documentation for developed applications, including API specifications and system architecture overviews.

• Experience working within Agile Scrum frameworks, demonstrating understanding of sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and reviews.

• Familiarity with source control workflows (e.g., Git branching strategies) and CI/CD processes for code deployment and version control.

• Understanding of software testing practices, including unit testing and contribution to integration testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a developer role with a UX focus, a portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase technical proficiency but also the ability to think from a user's perspective. Developers are encouraged to highlight projects where they considered usability, accessibility, and responsiveness. Providing links to active GitHub repositories or well-documented personal projects is highly recommended. Evidence of participation in Agile processes and contribution to documentation are also key aspects to showcase.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £33,002 to £39,906 per annum, depending on progression and experience. The starting salary is typically between £33,002 and £35,608.

Benefits:

• 40 days paid holiday per year.

• Occupational sick pay.

• Generous pension scheme.

• One paid day per year for volunteering.

• Access to a professional development programme (Birmingham Professional).

• Three high-quality subsidized day nurseries available on campus.

• Opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance.

Working Hours: Full time, likely based on a standard 37-hour work week, with potential for flexible working arrangements as discussed with the hiring manager.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided (£33,002 - £39,906) is competitive for a Grade 6 Full Stack Developer role in the UK, especially within a university setting. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, with a generous holiday allowance (40 days), comprehensive sick pay, a good pension, and unique perks like volunteering leave and subsidized childcare. The mention of the "Birmingham Professional programme" highlights a commitment to employee development, which is a significant draw for career-oriented individuals. The flexible working discussion is a positive indicator for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / IT Services. The University of Birmingham is a leading global institution focused on education, research, and knowledge dissemination. IT Services plays a critical role in enabling these functions through technology.

Company Size: Large, with approximately 5,000 professional services jobs across its UK and Dubai campuses. This indicates a stable, established organization with significant resources.

Founded: The University of Birmingham was founded over 100 years ago, signifying a long-standing history and strong institutional presence.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the IT Services department, specifically the Web and Digital team.

• This team is multidisciplinary, comprising developers, UX/UI designers, product owners, and other digital specialists.

• The developer will work within an Agile Scrum team structure, collaborating closely with cross-functional members.

• There is a broader emphasis within IT Services on building a culture of innovation, collaboration, openness, and inclusivity, supported by networks like the People and Culture network and Women in IT group. Methodology:

• Agile Scrum methodology is the primary framework for development within the Web and Digital team.

• Customer focus and continuous improvement are core principles applied to all activities.

• Data-driven decision-making is encouraged, supported by professional services that manage infrastructure and provide evidence-based insights.

• Collaboration and knowledge sharing are fostered through team structures and initiatives.

Company Website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: The University of Birmingham's culture is characterized by its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and staff development. The IT Services department specifically aims for innovation and collaboration, with active networks and recognition programs. The "Birmingham Professional programme" is a key differentiator, offering structured development for all professional services staff. This environment suggests a workplace that values continuous learning and employee growth, aligning well with the "UX Focus" aspect of this developer role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Grade 6, indicating a mid-level professional position within the university's grading structure. It requires approximately 2-4 years of experience and involves contributing to significant projects while developing specialized skills.

Reporting Structure: The developer will report within the Web and Digital team, likely to a Team Lead or Product Owner, and will work closely with UX specialists and senior developers. The IT Services department itself is a large division within the university, suggesting clear reporting lines and opportunities for advancement within the wider IT structure.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the university's digital transformation strategy by developing user-friendly, accessible, and efficient digital products. Successful development contributes to improved student and staff satisfaction (NSS scores), attraction of global talent, and enhanced internal operational efficiencies. The work is integral to the university's mission of providing an exceptional educational and research experience.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Deepening: Opportunity to build depth in full-stack development, front-end engineering, and back-end development through hands-on project work and exposure to modern technologies.

• User-Centred Development Expertise: Significant opportunity to develop strong skills in user experience, accessibility (WCAG), and user-centered design principles, working alongside experienced UX specialists.

• Career Progression: Potential to progress to senior developer roles, specialized front-end or back-end positions, or even move into product ownership or technical leadership within IT Services, leveraging the experience gained in this role.

• Professional Development: Access to the "Birmingham Professional" programme provides structured learning, networking, and career development opportunities across the university.

• Industry Exposure: Working in a large, complex higher education environment offers exposure to diverse technological challenges and large-scale application development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is framed as a "development role rather than a dedicated UX/UI design role," but it offers substantial growth in user-centered development. The fixed-term nature (12 months) suggests it might be a project-based role or a secondment opportunity, which can be a great way to gain specific experience before moving into a permanent position or a more senior role. The university's structure provides a stable environment with clear pathways for professional growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus. This implies a traditional office environment within a large university campus setting.

Office Location(s): University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SE. The campus is described as beautiful and situated in a leafy area with excellent transport links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The developer will be part of a multidisciplinary Web and Digital team, fostering a collaborative and interactive workspace.

• Tools and Technology: Access to modern development tools, likely including company-provided hardware, software licenses, and cloud platform access (e.g., Azure).

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with developers, UX/UI designers, product owners, and other digital specialists within the Agile Scrum framework.

• Campus Amenities: The university campus offers extensive amenities, including a state-of-the-art sports centre, shops, dining options, an art gallery, museum, and botanical gardens, contributing to a pleasant work environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time position, likely with standard university working hours, but with the potential for discussions around flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement means candidates should be comfortable working from the Birmingham campus. The description emphasizes a collaborative team environment and the benefits of a large university campus. The mention of flexible working is a positive note for work-life balance, suggesting that while the role is on-site, there might be some degree of flexibility offered.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of CVs and applications against the essential criteria. Candidates with strong portfolios and relevant experience will be shortlisted.

• Technical Interview/Assessment: Expect a technical discussion or a coding challenge focusing on full-stack development skills, problem-solving, and understanding of UX principles. This might involve discussing past projects or solving a practical problem.

• Team/Manager Interview: Further discussion with the hiring manager (Fawad Bhatti) and potentially other team members to assess technical fit, collaboration skills, understanding of Agile methodologies, and alignment with the team's culture and values.

• Presentation/Portfolio Review: Candidates may be asked to present a selection of their work from their portfolio, detailing their contributions, technical approach, and how they considered user experience and accessibility.

• Final Stage: This may involve a final interview or confirmation of referencing and background checks (including DBS).

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate full-stack capabilities, UX thinking, and accessibility considerations.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions to each project, especially if it was a team effort.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be prepared to discuss the technologies, frameworks, and languages used, and justify your choices.

• Emphasize UX/Accessibility: For each project, explain how you incorporated user needs, designed for usability, and ensured accessibility (e.g., adherence to WCAG).

• Explain the Process: Describe your development process, including how you approached requirements gathering, design collaboration, testing, and deployment.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, provide metrics or outcomes related to your work (e.g., performance improvements, user feedback).

• Code Quality: Ensure any linked code repositories are clean, well-organized, and commented.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Fundamentals: Brush up on core web development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript), API design, database principles, and responsive design.

• UX/Accessibility Basics: Familiarize yourself with key UX principles and WCAG guidelines. Be ready to discuss how to make applications user-friendly and accessible.

• Agile Practices: Understand the roles and ceremonies within an Agile Scrum team.

• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts and articulating your thought process clearly.

• University Context: Research the University of Birmingham's mission, values, and its digital strategy to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be thorough, assessing both technical prowess and a user-centric mindset. A well-prepared portfolio is crucial, serving as a tangible demonstration of skills and experience. Candidates should be ready to articulate their development process and the user considerations within their projects. Understanding the university's context and values will also be important.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Programming Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS.

• Front-end Frameworks (Preferred): React, Vue.js.

• Back-end Frameworks (Preferred): .NET or other modern frameworks.

• Version Control: GitHub (essential), Azure DevOps (preferred).

• Databases: SQL databases (preferred).

• APIs: Experience developing or consuming RESTful APIs (preferred).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as a primary tool for the developer, familiarity with how analytics are integrated into web applications would be beneficial. Understanding how user behaviour data is collected and used to inform development decisions is key. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly mentioned as a requirement for this role, as it's focused on front-end and back-end web development rather than CRM administration or sales operations automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack leans towards modern web development practices. Proficiency in core web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript) is essential. Experience with popular front-end frameworks like React or Vue.js, and back-end technologies like .NET, are highly desirable. Tools like GitHub and Azure DevOps are critical for collaboration and deployment pipelines. A basic understanding of databases and APIs is also required.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working within multidisciplinary teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues.

• Customer Focus: Placing students, staff, and external users at the heart of all digital product development.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to refining processes, technologies, and user experiences.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to digital solutions.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: A proactive approach to creating a fair and inclusive workplace where everyone can succeed.

• Data-Driven Approach: Using evidence and user feedback to inform decisions and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile Scrum: Working within an Agile framework necessitates close, iterative collaboration with team members.

• Cross-functional Integration: Close working relationships with UX/UI designers, product owners, and other developers are expected.

• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, feedback exchange, and knowledge sharing within the team and across departments.

• User-Centric Dialogue: Engaging with stakeholders and users to gather feedback and ensure development aligns with user needs and expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The University of Birmingham's stated values, including diversity, inclusion, continuous improvement, and collaboration, are central to its culture. For this role, these translate into a working environment where teamwork, open communication, and a user-first approach are paramount. The IT Services department specifically fosters innovation and inclusivity, making it an attractive environment for professionals who value these aspects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Development and UX Focus: Effectively integrating user experience considerations into the core development process without being a dedicated UX designer. This requires strong communication and an inquisitive mindset about user needs.

• Working with Legacy Systems: While not explicitly stated, large institutions often have a mix of modern and legacy systems. Developers may need to integrate new applications with existing infrastructure.

• Meeting Diverse User Needs: Developing digital products for a broad university community (students, staff, researchers, external audiences) with varying technical abilities and requirements.

• Adhering to Strict Standards: Ensuring all developed applications meet rigorous security, accessibility (WCAG), and performance standards set by the university.

• Fixed-Term Contract: Navigating a 12-month contract requires delivering value quickly and potentially seeking new opportunities within or outside the university upon its conclusion.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in specific front-end or back-end technologies, APIs, and database management.

• User-Centred Design Immersion: Gain practical experience in applying UX principles and accessibility standards through close collaboration with UX specialists.

• Agile Methodologies: Enhance proficiency in Agile Scrum practices through daily application and team retrospectives.

• Cloud and CI/CD Exposure: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with cloud platforms and CI/CD pipelines if not already proficient.

• Professional Development Programs: Leverage the "Birmingham Professional" programme for broader career development, leadership training, and networking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a role bridging development and UX in a large organization. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly in developing a nuanced understanding of user-centric design within a professional development context. The fixed-term nature, while a challenge for long-term stability, presents an opportunity for focused skill acquisition and rapid career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Full-Stack Development: "Describe a complex web application you've built. What was your role in both the front-end and back-end development? What were the key technical challenges, and how did you overcome them?"

• UX/Accessibility Integration: "How do you incorporate user experience and accessibility considerations into your development workflow, even when you're not a dedicated UX designer? Can you give an example?"

• Agile Collaboration: "Describe your experience working in an Agile Scrum team. What is your preferred role in sprint planning, and how do you handle disagreements within the team?"

• Problem-Solving: "Walk me through your process for debugging a challenging issue in a web application. What steps do you take to identify the root cause?"

• Technical Design: "How do you approach technical design for new features? What documentation do you typically create or contribute to?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the University of Birmingham specifically, and how does this role align with your career goals?"

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team environment?"

• "What are your thoughts on the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and how might that influence your work?"

• "How do you stay updated with the latest trends in web development and user experience?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, present the problem, your solution (highlighting technical and UX aspects), your specific contributions, and the outcome/impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use live demos or screenshots to illustrate your work. For code, be ready to navigate a repository and explain specific code snippets.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your technical choices and how they addressed user needs or business requirements.

• Quantify Results: If possible, present metrics (e.g., performance improvements, user feedback scores, reduction in errors) that demonstrate the value of your work.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your code, design decisions, challenges, and how you collaborated with others.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on blending technical expertise with a user-centric mindset. Candidates should be ready to discuss their development process, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and articulate how they integrate UX and accessibility into their work. Tailoring answers to the university's values and mission will also be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Full Stack Developer - UX Focus position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the University of Birmingham's recruitment portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest full-stack projects that clearly demonstrate your coding skills, responsive design implementation, and consideration for user experience and accessibility. Ensure any linked code repositories are clean and well-documented.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight your 2-4 years of development experience, specific technical skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, preferred frameworks), and any experience with Agile, GitHub, or UX principles. Emphasize achievements and quantify results where possible.

• Prepare for Technical Assessment: Brush up on core web development concepts, API principles, and basic UX/accessibility guidelines. Be ready to discuss your problem-solving approach and your experience with Agile methodologies.

• Research the University: Familiarize yourself with the University of Birmingham's mission, values, and the IT Services department's role. Understand their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and digital transformation.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.