Bioinformatics Developer - Expand comparative genomics resources at European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) (Hinxton, UK)

Would you like to join a world-leading provider of genomics data, infrastructure and tools?

If this sounds of interest, we are looking for a Bioinformatics Developer to help expand comparative genomics resources with our Ensembl (ensembl.org) team.

The Ensembl comparative genomics team's work, spans computational biology, software development, large-scale compute, big data, workflow management and automation. We collaborate with consortia and communities from all over the world to compare an ever-increasing number of genomes and infer their evolutionary history.

As part of the team, you will help us develop software and processes that are capable of comparing thousands of genomes, thereby contributing meaningfully towards making Ensembl the world’s leading resource for exploring the genomics of biodiversity.

The Earth Biogenome Project (earthbiogenome.org) aims to coordinate the sequencing, assembly and annotation of the genomes of all known species on the planet. This will provide unprecedented molecular-level insights into evolution and biodiversity, and for the first time we will be able to study the genomics of whole ecosystems. Ensembl will provide a platform for the annotation and comparison of these genomes.

Your role

You will develop and maintain software and workflows for the processing and management of large genomic data sets. You will work on improving the automation, scalability and reliability of our existing workflows, whilst at the same time developing new workflows and processes that are capable of processing and serving comparative data for thousands of genomes. Your specific responsibilities will include:

• Maintenance and development of our database and software infrastructure for comparative genomics data


• Design and implementation of innovative infrastructure solutions to increase automation, reliability and scalability of our data processing pipelines and workflows


• Coordination of production workflows and delivery of processed data as part of the Ensembl release cycle

You have

You should have a post-graduate qualification (MSc, PhD or equivalent) in computational biology or bioinformatics, and should have practical experience working with big data. Specifically, we are looking for:

• Proficiency with at least one programming language (e.g. Perl, Python)


• Proficiency with relational databases and SQL


• Experience with cloud computing and containerisation


• Experience working with high-performance compute clusters


• Ability to understand, write and maintain complex code

Problem-solving skills and attention to detail are critical aspects of this role. You should also be comfortable with communicating your ideas both orally in writing, and have the ability to manage time and keep to deadlines.

You might also have

Experience with the following will be considered a plus:

• Genome databases and genomic data


• Developing software for commercial cloud platforms (e.g. Amazon or Google)


• Developing software as part of a large collaborative team


• NoSQL databases (e.g. graph databases or document stores)

Why join us

Do something meaningful
At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.

Join a culture of innovation
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances


• Flexible working arrangements


• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)


• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays


• Relocation package including installation grant (if required)


• Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)


• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances


• Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

For more details please see our employee benefits page.

What else you need to know

• Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.


• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.


• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.


• Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, UK and you will be required to relocate once it is safe to do so, if you are currently based abroad. Read more about how we are recruiting during the pandemic.


• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date: 12th September 2021.