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- Tasks: Lead a team to develop and maintain cutting-edge bioinformatics platforms.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leader in chemical biology resources.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in computer science or related field; strong Python and backend development skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 4206 - 5888 £ per month.
We are looking for a Technical Lead to join the Chemical Biology Resources team at the European Bioinformatics Institute (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. SureChEMBL is a complementary patent resource containing chemical structures extracted from patents daily. UniChem links chemical structures across databases. ChEBI is a highly curated database and ontology of compounds of biological interest. OPSIN converts systematic chemical names into chemical structures.
The Technical Lead is part of the leadership team in the group, which consists of an international and interdisciplinary mix of professional scientists and software engineers. You will manage a team of engineers that maintain and develop our websites, APIs and data workflows. You will be working closely with the Team Leader, ChEMBL Group Coordinator and Senior Scientific Developer to ensure that the teams resources are maintained and developed in a sustainable way that is flexible enough to support ongoing changes and improvements to what we do.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Oversee and maintain critical infrastructure supporting ChEMBL, SureChEMBL, ChEBI, OPSIN, and UniChem platforms, including Kubernetes clusters, virtual machines, database environments (SQL, MongoDB), transfer services (FTP, etc.), networking and compute clusters.
- Proactively track and implement EBIs IT database patch schedules and coordinate infrastructure migrations/updates.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring strategy across all services to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
- Ensure the stability and continuous availability of existing systems, with particular focus on the ChEMBL platform and the teams ElasticSearch instance.
- Further standardise and streamline deployment procedures to create consistency and efficiency across platforms.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all IT-related matters, providing expert guidance both internally and externally.
- Lead the development and ongoing maintenance of all services within the portfolio, with hands-on implementation and technical problem-solving.
- Maintain ongoing efforts to address technical debt so that our services remain in good health.
You have (Requirements)
- A degree in computer science or related field, or a PhD in a relevant computational discipline.
- Several years professional experience involving backend development.
- Track record of delivered projects involving backend development.
- Proficient in Python programming.
- Strong experience with Python backend frameworks such as Django or FastAPI.
- Strong experience with SQL databases (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL).
- Experience with NoSQL databases such as Elasticsearch and MongoDB.
- Experience with DevOps practices such as CI/CD workflows (particularly using GitLab) and infrastructure as code.
- Proficient in working with Linux operating systems.
- Familiar with containerization technologies (Docker) and orchestration platforms (Kubernetes).
Behaviours
- Experience managing a team.
- Self-motivated with good communication skills and the ambition to work with international collaborators and users.
- Advanced English language and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to see the bigger picture and bring colleagues along with you, ensuring alignment across teams and driving collective success!
You might also have (Desirable)
- Experience managing infrastructure for scientific or data science workflows.
- Experience with Java programming.
- An interest in life sciences is a plus.
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 grant based contract.
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at £4,206 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 05/01/2026.
Technical Lead in Chelmsford employer: EMBL-EBI
Contact Detail:
EMBL-EBI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Lead in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to backend development. Mock interviews with friends or using online platforms can help you feel more confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! Whether it's through a personal website or GitHub, having a portfolio of your work can really set you apart. Highlight your experience with Python, SQL databases, and any relevant DevOps practices you've mastered.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at EMBL-EBI.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Lead 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 relevant experience and how it aligns with the Technical Lead role. We want to see your passion for the field and how you can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your skills in backend development, Python programming, and team management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and achievements.
Showcase Your Team Management Skills: Since this role involves managing a team, make sure to include any leadership experiences you have. We want to know how you’ve motivated and guided others in past projects!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our online system! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially in Python and backend frameworks like Django or FastAPI. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in backend development.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Lead, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on communication and collaboration. Highlight any experience you have with mentoring or guiding others.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the Chemical Biology Resources team and their platforms like ChEMBL and SureChEMBL. Being able to articulate how your role fits into the larger goals of the team will show that you're aligned with their mission.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face technical problem-solving scenarios during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically, as this will demonstrate your ability to tackle real-world issues effectively.
