At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of technical infrastructure for groundbreaking biological data resources.
- Company: Join a pioneering team at the Protein Data Bank in Europe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in life sciences while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields; strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50472 - 50472 £ per year.
The Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe) team develops essential macromolecular structure resources and tools for biologists and life scientists. As a founding partner of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank, we maintain the global archive of experimentally determined macromolecular structures (the Protein Data Bank, PDB). The team also manages the community‑led PDBe Knowledge Base (PDBe‑KB) and the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database (AFDB), a collaboration with Google DeepMind, and develops services that support structure deposition, data integration, and advanced search capabilities.
We are seeking an Infrastructure and Production Project Leader to lead the development and operation of the technical infrastructure supporting PDBe services and associated resources, including PDBe‑KB and AFDB. The role involves managing a team of software and infrastructure engineers while contributing to the strategic development of scalable, reliable, and sustainable data infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Work with the PDBe Team Leader, Coordinator, and senior staff to define and implement the technical strategy for PDBe data infrastructure and services.
- Lead and manage the Infrastructure and Production sub‑team, including mentoring and supporting team members.
- Design and operate robust infrastructure supporting the PDBe archive, PDBe‑KB, and AFDB resources.
- Oversee and continuously improve PDBe’s weekly data release pipelines.
- Develop scalable mechanisms for data discovery, access, and distribution.
- Collaborate with other EMBL‑EBI teams, particularly central IT services, to design and maintain sustainable infrastructure solutions.
- Act as a technical mentor, fostering best practices in infrastructure engineering, reliability, and maintainability.
- Monitor emerging technologies and evaluate their potential application to PDBe services.
Qualifications (Requirements)
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, Data Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience in infrastructure engineering and technical leadership will also be considered.
- 6+ years designing and operating large‑scale data infrastructure in production environments.
- Experience leading and mentoring infrastructure or software engineering teams.
- Proven track record of delivering reliable and scalable data services.
- Experience defining and implementing technical roadmaps aligned with organisational strategy.
- Experience working within scientific or research data environments is desirable.
Technical Skills
- Strong programming skills, particularly in Python.
- Experience with large‑scale data processing and data integration workflows.
- Development and operation of RESTful APIs.
- Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases.
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure).
- Experience with containerisation and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
- Experience with Infrastructure‑as‑Code tools (e.g., Terraform).
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and production monitoring/observability tools.
- Understanding of cloud security, identity and access management, high availability, and disaster recovery practices.
Soft Skills
- Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and international teams.
Desirable
- Experience in managing a small team.
- Experience in risk management and communication with large international consortium members.
Contract and Salary
- Contract length: 3 years (grant based).
- Grade 7 monthly salary starting at £4,206 per month after tax, excluding pension and insurance contributions.
Hybrid Working
Hybrid working is available. Employees typically work two days on site and three days from home, with a dedicated desk available on site.
Diversity and Inclusion
We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and any other diverse backgrounds. Our work environment is inclusive and we comply with EEO requirements.
Infrastructure and technical project leader employer: 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory
The Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe) offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment where innovation thrives. As an employer, we prioritise employee growth through mentorship and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, while our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance. Join us in advancing scientific research with cutting-edge infrastructure and be part of a community that values diversity and fosters professional development.
Contact Details:
1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Infrastructure and technical project leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects that highlight your expertise, bring them along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! Brush up on common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how you tackle challenges!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us!
We think you need these skills to ace Infrastructure and technical project leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in infrastructure engineering and technical leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role is all about managing data infrastructure, be sure to emphasise your programming skills, especially in Python, and any experience you have with cloud platforms or containerisation technologies. We love seeing concrete examples of your work!
Highlight Leadership Experience:As a project leader, your ability to mentor and manage a team is crucial. Share specific instances where you've led teams or projects, and how you’ve fostered best practices in infrastructure engineering. We’re keen to know how you inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technical skills listed in the job description, especially Python, cloud platforms, and containerisation technologies. Brush up on your experience with RESTful APIs and data processing workflows, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and mentoring capabilities. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully led a team or improved processes. This role requires strong leadership, so demonstrating your experience in managing teams will be crucial.
✨Understand the PDBe Mission
Familiarise yourself with the Protein Data Bank and its significance in the scientific community. Being able to discuss how your skills can contribute to their mission will show your genuine interest and alignment with their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges in infrastructure management. Think about past experiences where you’ve had to troubleshoot issues or implement new technologies, and be ready to discuss these scenarios in detail.
