Mobile Web Game Developer
Job Title: Mobile Web Game Developer — Paid Part-Time Internship
About the Role:
Promega Corporation is seeking a part-time developer to build a GPS-based location game for life science researchers. Players physically move to campus locations following a radar interface, catch illustrated cards revealing a scientific narrative about cancer proteins, and compete on a real-time leaderboard against other labs and institutions. Think GPS scavenger hunt meets scientific education.
The game features five disease-relevant proteins — each detected using a different validated application of Promega's bioluminescent protein tagging technology. Players hunt each protein across campus over five weeks using a GPS radar mechanic where the detection signal intensifies as they approach the target.
The prototype is already built and the full technical spec is written. You are building from a detailed blueprint — not starting from scratch.
Portfolio value: A live GPS location game played by PhD researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Texas A&M University, and Promega Corporation.
What You Will Build:
- Radar interface with directional arrow and distance countdown
- GPS spawn triggering — interaction activates within 25 meters of a campus pin
- Animated card reveal with bioluminescent catch animation
- Real-time leaderboard — individual and lab-level rankings updating live
- User registration — name, institution, lab name
- Two separate game instances with independent leaderboards
- Email or SMS notifications when new content goes live
Tech Stack:
React · Supabase · Vercel · Progressive Web App — no native app or App Store submission required
Project Timeline:
- Target build completion: October 1, 2026
- Conference launch: October 13, 2026 at a sponsored scientific symposium in Houston
- Second deployment: November 2026 at Promega HQ in Madison, Wisconsin
- Season 2 development: November through December 2026
Candidates should assess the October timeline honestly and share whether it is achievable based on their availability and experience. There is some flexibility — we would rather launch well than launch prematurely.
Qualifications:
Must have:
- Deployed React applications — please share live links or GitHub with your application
- Strong mobile animation instinct — show something that feels smooth on a phone
- Available to start immediately
Nice to have:
- GPS or geolocation experience in mobile web
- Supabase or Firebase experience
- Interest in biotech, life science, or science communication technology
Candidates with a bioinformatics, computational biology, or life science background who also have strong web development skills are particularly encouraged to apply.
Position Details:
- Type: Paid part-time internship — flexible hours around your academic schedule
- Location: Fully remote — Houston-based preferred but not required
- Duration: Immediately through December 31, 2026 — extension flexible based on outcomes
- Compensation: Paid — details discussed with qualified candidates
Why This Role:
This is not a typical internship. You will build something genuinely original — a GPS engagement platform that teaches cancer biology through gameplay — that will be used by PhD researchers at major Texas medical institutions. The concept is novel, the science is real, and the platform has the potential to scale to scientific conferences nationwide.
If this sounds interesting — reach out directly. We would love to hear from you.