At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain cutting-edge web hosting platforms using Kubernetes and automation tools.
- Company: Join a leading scientific applications group with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, private medical insurance, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive team environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on popular web services used by the scientific community.
- Qualifications: Experience in web hosting, Kubernetes, and CI/CD; strong Linux skills required.
The predicted salary is between 3303 - 3695 £ per month.
We are seeking a skilled individual to join our Applications Group and contribute to the success of our applications portfolio, joining the team as a Site Reliability Engineer. Within the Applications Group, the Web Applications Platform Team is responsible for providing the platforms on which all EBI web services are hosted. A couple of years ago, the web hosting service started shifting to a container-based model, and our goal is to accelerate and consolidate this trend. Our web services are very popular among the scientific community, and the average monthly request count is over 3,000 million.
Working closely with the different IT groups like Infrastructure and Operations, this position will help design, implement and administer the future platform on which all our scientific web services will be running on.
Duties & Responsibilities
In this role you will:
- Be responsible for building and maintaining the following environments:
- Web Hosting platform based on Kubernetes, where users can deploy web applications along with the following ecosystem:
- Infrastructure and application monitoring based on Prometheus
- Web analytics platform, currently based on ElasticSearch
- CI/CD tools like Gitlab
- Drive automation and change to simplify management, operations and increase efficiency
- Ensure documentation is of standard
- Drive SRE best practices
This position will contribute directly to the above-mentioned projects and tasks and will help the team move forward with the production automation. This position will also help and guide other team members with daily prioritisation of tasks.
You have (Requirements)
Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or a related discipline, or demonstrate equivalent experience. The role would be suitable for a Unix/Linux systems administrator with good web hosting, Kubernetes, and CI/CD understanding.
- At least 3 years of experience in the design, implementation and operation of large scale web hosting platforms.
- Experience managing public-facing production services
- Experience working with Agile methodologies
- 3 years of experience with automated deployment/configuration methods (e.g. Ansible, Puppet, Terraform)
- Solid experience in Kubernetes deployment and administration in public or private cloud
- Strong Linux administration skills, ideally with RHEL or a RHEL clone
- Solid skills in automation tools like Jenkins, Rundeck, or similar.
- Hands-on experience using Git in CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code workflows.
- Solid skills in at least one programming language, ideally Python
- Experience with methodologies for infrastructure monitoring.
- Solid interpersonal and written English communication skills
- Proven ability to work well in a team, building positive relationships and sharing knowledge
- Ability to plan and prioritise workloads
You might also have (Desirable)
- Experience with cloud technologies, including Google or AWS certification
- Experience with Web Security best practices (OWASP)
Behaviours we value in our team:
You will possess strong communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. You should be collaborative and effective in multidisciplinary, international teams! A technical expert in your area of expertise, willing to share knowledge and keep up with trends!
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 from £3,303 - £3,695 after tax but excluding 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.
To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 9/03/2026.
Senior Site Reliability Engineer in Chelmsford employer: EMBL-EBI
At EMBL-EBI, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to make significant contributions to the field of bioinformatics. Located in the picturesque setting of Hinxton near Cambridge, we offer exceptional opportunities for professional growth, access to cutting-edge resources, and the chance to work alongside world-renowned experts in structural biology and machine learning. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and improving human health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Site Reliability Engineer in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at the company. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or personal project that showcases your Kubernetes or CI/CD expertise, don’t hesitate to share it during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky technical questions! Brush up on your knowledge of web hosting platforms and automation tools. Practising common SRE scenarios can help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨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 proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Site Reliability Engineer in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights the skills and experiences that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, especially in areas like Kubernetes and CI/CD.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our Applications Group. Keep it engaging and relevant to the position.
Showcase Your Team Spirit:We value collaboration, so don’t forget to mention your experience working in teams. Share examples of how you've built positive relationships and shared knowledge with colleagues in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and cover letter, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Kubernetes, CI/CD tools, and Linux administration. Brush up on your knowledge of Prometheus and ElasticSearch, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've designed or managed large-scale web hosting platforms. Be ready to explain your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them, particularly in a production environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various IT groups, think of examples that highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Share experiences where you’ve built positive relationships and shared knowledge within a team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s current projects, their approach to SRE best practices, and how they envision the future of their web services. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
