At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop AI-based methods for protein-ligand interactions.
- Company: EMBL-EBI, a leading bioinformatics centre on the Wellcome Genome Campus.
- Benefits: Generous salary, hybrid working, private medical insurance, and 30 days annual leave.
- Other info: Inclusive environment encouraging diverse applicants and offering excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery while collaborating with top researchers.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and expertise in protein structure analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 44300 £ per year.
We are looking for a highly motivated Computational Biologist / Bioinformatician to join the Chemical Biology Resources team at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), located on the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, as part of the Wellcome Trust funded LIGMAP project, a multi-disciplinary collaboration between University College London and EMBL-EBI.
The Chemical Biology Resources team provides world-leading chemogenomics resources to the scientific community. ChEMBL is a database of quantitative small-molecule bioactivity data curated primarily from the scientific literature widely used to support drug discovery projects in industry and academia. ChEBI is a highly curated database and ontology of compounds of biological interest.
The EBI is part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and it is a world-leading bioinformatics centre providing biological data to the scientific community with expertise in data storage, analysis and representation. EMBL-EBI provides freely available data from life science experiments, performs basic research in computational biology and offers an extensive user training programme, supporting researchers in academic and industry.
Your role: LIGMAP is an ambitious 4.5 year project, led by University College London, to identify the endogenous ligands of the many proteins of unknown function in the proteome using AI-based methods as well as classical machine learning. You will work closely with the PDBe team at EMBL-EBI, as well as leading researchers in structural biology and machine learning at University College London, to deliver the goals of the project. You will develop descriptors to characterise the binding site of proteins in terms of their ability to recognise ligands, and use these to assess druggability of protein binding sites.
You have:
- A PhD in Bioinformatics, Structural Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Deep understanding of protein-ligand interactions and expertise in protein structure analysis, specifically in characterizing binding sites and assessing druggability.
- Strong foundation in cheminformatics, including analysis of molecular representations, chemical similarity, fingerprints design, and clustering techniques, among others.
- Experience with molecular docking, virtual screening pipelines, and the calculation of chemical properties to support functional annotation.
- Proficiency in Python, with hands-on experience using cheminformatics and structural biology libraries such as RDKit, Biopython, or Open Babel.
- Familiarity with structural data formats (mmCIF, PDB) and experience working with global resources like the Protein Data Bank (PDBe).
- Experience working with relational (SQL) databases and managing large-scale biological or chemical datasets.
- Familiarity working in a structured collaborative software development environment using git and GitHub/GitLab.
- Proficiency in working with Linux operating systems.
- Self-motivated with a can-do attitude and a willingness to solve complex problems in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ambition to work effectively with international collaborators across institutions like EMBL-EBI and UCL.
- Advanced English language skills.
You might have:
- Experience using PyMOL or other 3D molecular visualization tools (ChimeraX, VMD) for the detailed analysis of protein surfaces and binding pockets.
- Experience in scripting within visualization software to automate the generation of structural descriptors.
- Experience in using AI-based methods, such as Geometric Deep Learning, Graph Neural Networks, or LLMs for structural data processing.
Salary: Grade 5 or 6 depending on experience. Salary from £3,303.40 or £3,695.61 after tax plus generous benefits. Excluding personal pension and insurance contributions.
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.
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, 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 17/06/2026.
Computational Biologist / Bioinformatician - Chemical Biology Services in Chelmsford employer: EMBL-EBI
The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment on the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, where innovation thrives in the field of bioinformatics. With generous benefits including a competitive salary, extensive annual leave, and a strong focus on employee growth through collaborative projects and training opportunities, EMBL-EBI fosters a culture of inclusivity and support, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to contribute to groundbreaking research in chemical biology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Computational Biologist / Bioinformatician - Chemical Biology Services in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those at EMBL-EBI or UCL. Attend conferences, webinars, and local meetups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to cheminformatics or protein-ligand interactions. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions in bioinformatics and computational biology. Practice explaining your past projects and how they relate to the role you're applying for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at EMBL-EBI.
We think you need these skills to ace Computational Biologist / Bioinformatician - Chemical Biology Services in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your passion for computational biology and how your skills align with the LIGMAP project. We want to see your personality come through, so don’t be afraid to let us know what excites you about this role!
Tailor Your CV:When applying, tailor your CV to showcase relevant experience in bioinformatics and cheminformatics. Highlight specific projects or roles that demonstrate your expertise in protein-ligand interactions and any programming skills, especially in Python. We love seeing how your background fits with our needs!
Showcase Your Team Spirit:Since this role involves collaboration with various teams, make sure to mention any past experiences where you worked effectively in a team setting. We value self-motivated individuals who can also thrive in a multi-disciplinary environment, so share examples of how you’ve contributed to team success!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our online system! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your materials and keep track of your application. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at EMBL-EBI!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of protein-ligand interactions and cheminformatics. Be ready to discuss your experience with molecular docking and virtual screening, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency in Python and any cheminformatics libraries like RDKit or Biopython. If you have experience with structural data formats or relational databases, be ready to share specific examples of how you've used these skills in past projects.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working closely with teams from EMBL-EBI and UCL, highlight your teamwork and communication skills. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated on multi-disciplinary projects, and express your enthusiasm for working in a diverse team environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the LIGMAP project and the Chemical Biology Resources team. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively. Asking about future challenges or goals can also give you insight into the team's dynamics.
