At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative software for natural language queries in life sciences.
- Company: Join the European Bioinformatics Institute, a leader in life science resources.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with exciting projects and career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI and bioinformatics, making a real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development and a passion for innovative technology.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking a talented and motivated Software Engineer to join our SearchBot project. This new initiative will pilot natural language query (NLQ) capabilities across EBI Search, which indexes more than 6.6 billion records from EMBL-EBI's world-leading life science resources. The project will also explore frameworks for integrating specialised search services, such as sequence and chemical searches, with modern AI agents using emerging standards like the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Your role
You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying prototype services that enable natural language queries across EBI metadata and selected data type specific searches. You will:
- Implement MCP-based services to expose search endpoints to AI agents.
- Develop a central NLQ entry point integrating metadata search and specialised search modalities.
Software Engineer in Essex 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 Software Engineer in 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 in 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.
