At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic software team in developing cutting-edge bioinformatics tools.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leader in protein family and domain annotation resources.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work, and family-friendly perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving AI-first development in bioinformatics.
- Qualifications: Experience in software design, AI tools, and strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the team
In your role, you will lead the software development team responsible for the Pfam and InterPro databases. These are two of the worlds most widely used protein family and domain annotation resources, serving thousands of users globally. Reporting to the Head of the Protein Families Group at EMBL-EBI, this role sits at the intersection of cutting-edge bioinformatics and modern software engineering. The team currently comprises several software developers and engineers. We are seeking to hire an InterPro/Pfam Software Project leader to lead a cultural and technical shift towards AI-first development, leveraging AI coding assistants and generative tools to accelerate delivery, improve code quality, and reduce technical debt across both platforms. The chosen candidate will ensure the successful migration of development workflows to AI-assisted practices; delivery of major platform milestones on time and to quality; growth of team capability; and ongoing reliability and performance of the Pfam and InterPro production systems.
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 (e.g. Claude Code, 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: 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.
You have
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Substantial experience in software design and architecture, including design of large-scale, production-grade systems.
- Demonstrated experience using AI coding tools (e.g. Claude Code, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor) in a production environment.
- Strong Python programming skills with experience building and maintaining production services.
- Proven expertise in database design, including relational (e.g. MySQL, PostgreSQL) and/or 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; ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, international environment.
You may also have
- Experience with Kubernetes for container orchestration and cloud-native deployments.
- Java programming experience.
- Experience with web technologies (e.g. REST APIs, React, JavaScript/TypeScript).
- Background in bioinformatics or life sciences software development.
- Familiarity with Pfam, InterPro, or related protein family/domain resources.
- Track record of contributing to open-source projects.
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 renewable up to 9 years.
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at £4,206 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.
InterPro/Pfam Software Project Leader in Chelmsford employer: EMBL-EBI
At EMBL-EBI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of bioinformatics. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our extensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive campus life with various social activities. Located in Hinxton near Cambridge, we provide a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of scientific research while enjoying a vibrant community and comprehensive relocation support for international applicants.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land InterPro/Pfam Software Project Leader in Chelmsford
✨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
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We think you need these skills to ace InterPro/Pfam Software Project Leader in Chelmsford
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.
