At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop a scalable text search engine for biological data.
- Company: Be part of EMBL-EBI, a leader in bioinformatics and data access.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, generous leave, and family benefits.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific research with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science, Java expertise, and software development experience required.
We are looking for a dynamic Software Engineer to join the EBI Search project, a scalable text search engine providing easy and uniform access to the biological data resources hosted at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). EBI Search provides the central discovery infrastructure indexing more than 6 billion data objects across EMBL-EBI and external resources. It enables search and cross-linking across more than 100 biological data domains via web interfaces and RESTful APIs. You will join a team of software developers working together to support scientific research and FAIR data access across multiple disciplines.
Your role
- Integration and indexing of biological data and metadata, and provision of these through user-friendly web interfaces and web services for the international research community;
- Development of new features within an established and evolving codebase;
- Integration of the search platform with emerging AI technologies to enhance data discovery and improve user experience;
- Development of lightweight and efficient approaches for integrating data from multiple domains;
- Collaboration with colleagues across EMBL-EBI, applying industry-standard best practices to create and maintain efficient, reusable and well-documented software.
You have
- A degree in Computer Science or a related field;
- A minimum of two years experience in software development;
- Good knowledge of Java;
- Experience with JavaScript and/or TypeScript;
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python and Bash;
- Good communication skills;
- Familiarity with modern software development practices and tools, including version control systems, CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
You may also have
- Experience in biomolecular or biomedical data and metadata integration;
- Working knowledge of Solr, Lucene or Lucene-based search technologies;
- Knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes or other deployment technologies;
- Knowledge of additional data storage technologies, including relational databases, graph databases and NoSQL systems;
- Familiarity with Linux/Unix environments;
- Experience with collaborative development tools such as Jira and Confluence;
- Experience with machine learning approaches, ideally in the context of data discovery.
Benefits and Contract Information
- Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278, monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non-resident allowance up to £569 per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances.
- Hybrid 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 (as applicable).
- 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, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances.
- Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract.
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at £3,303 or £3,695 after tax (but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances).
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
- 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, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system before the closing date.
Applications will close on 27/06/2026.
Locations
Software Engineer Data Discovery in Chelmsford, Essex employer: EMBL-EBI
At EMBL-EBI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among our diverse team. With generous benefits including hybrid working arrangements, extensive annual leave, and a supportive relocation package, we are committed to the growth and well-being of our employees. Join us in Hinxton, where you will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer Data Discovery in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at EMBL-EBI or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to EMBL-EBI.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like EMBL-EBI.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like EMBL-EBI that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer Data Discovery in Chelmsford, Essex
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 EMBL-EBI.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at EMBL-EBI 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 EMBL-EBI
✨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 EMBL-EBI 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.
