At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic software team developing cutting-edge protein databases and drive AI-first practices.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leader in bioinformatics with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and family-friendly perks.
- Other info: Open to international applicants with excellent career growth and relocation support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in bioinformatics while working with the latest AI technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; strong Python and software design skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Lead the software development team responsible for the Pfam and InterPro databases, two of the world’s most widely used protein family and domain annotation resources. Report to the Head of the Protein Families Group at EMBL‑EBI and drive a cultural and technical shift toward AI‑first development.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the Pfam/InterPro software development team, managing workload, priorities, and professional development.
- Drive the transition to AI‑first software development practices, embedding AI coding tools such as Claude Code and GitHub Copilot into production workflows.
- Own software architecture and design decisions across the Pfam and InterPro platforms, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and performance.
- Design and maintain relational and NoSQL database schemas supporting large‑scale protein family and domain annotation data.
- Lead agile development cycles including sprint planning, code review, CI/CD pipeline management, and release coordination.
- Oversee containerised deployment infrastructure using Kubernetes and cloud‑native services.
- Collaborate with bioinformaticians, data scientists, and external stakeholders to translate scientific requirements into robust software solutions.
- Champion software engineering best practices: documentation, testing, version control, and security.
- Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, including AI/ML tools, to improve developer productivity and system capabilities.
- Contribute to grant applications, publications, and presentations relating to software infrastructure where appropriate.
Qualifications
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Substantial experience in software design and architecture, including production‑grade systems.
- Demonstrated experience using AI coding tools (Claude Code, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor) in a production environment.
- Strong Python programming skills and experience building and maintaining production services.
- Proven expertise in database design, including relational (MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL systems.
- Experience leading or mentoring a software development team.
- Familiarity with modern DevOps practices: CI/CD, containerisation (Docker), and version control (Git).
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, international environment.
Contract Length and Salary
- Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
- Salary: Grade7 monthly salary starting at £4206 per month after tax, excluding pension and insurance contributions.
Benefits
- 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; generous time off: 30 days annual leave plus public holidays; relocation package; campus life: free shuttle bus, on‑site library, subsidised gym and cafeteria, casual dress code; family benefits; 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.
Other Information
- The position is open to international applicants; successful candidates will be offered visa exemptions.
- Applications close on 05/07/2026.
InterPro/Pfam Software Project Leader employer: 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory
At EMBL-EBI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of bioinformatics. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our support for professional development, flexible working arrangements, and generous benefits, including a competitive salary, extensive leave, and family-friendly policies. Located in a vibrant international environment, we provide unique opportunities to work with cutting-edge AI technologies while contributing to impactful scientific research.
Contact Details:
1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land InterPro/Pfam Software Project Leader
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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We think you need these skills to ace InterPro/Pfam Software Project Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If 1000 European Molecular Biology Laboratory uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
