Backend Software Developer

We’re seeking a driven Backend Software Developer to join the Open Targets team at EMBL-EBI, contributing to the Open Psychiatry Project (OPP). In this role, you’ll build and evolve cutting‑edge informatics tools that support the discovery and prioritisation of drug targets. Working with modern technologies in a collaborative, international environment, you’ll tackle complex technical challenges alongside a multidisciplinary team of experts.

The OPP is an ambitious initiative focused on making mental health omics data more accessible, connected, and impactful. By integrating real-world evidence into the Open Targets Platform, the project aims to accelerate the development of more effective treatments for mental health conditions. As part of the Open Targets Core team, you’ll collaborate with computational biologists, bioinformaticians, and engineers to design and deliver scalable, cloud‑first software at the intersection of biomedical data and drug discovery.

Your role includes:

• Leading the backend development for the OPP, including working to scope and prioritise feature development.
• Being the key contact between the OPP and Open Targets groups, interacting closely with other members of the OPP team to understand the infrastructure, data and software needs.
• Working with other OPP team members to develop data intake and metadata strategy, as well as containerised analyses that can smoothly link to Open Targets pipelines.
• Writing clean, efficient and readable code to support our Python based data pipeline.
• Contributing to the codebase of our GraphQL API, which is being rewritten in Rust.
• Supporting our GCP infrastructure, deployed with Terraform and Helm.
• Taking ownership of the design and development of new features and pipelines.
• Resolving complex issues with independent problem‑solving and self‑management.
• Engaging in knowledge sharing activities and contributing technical expertise to our Community and blog.

You have:

• Qualifications in computer science, software development, or a related field.
• Good day‑to‑day computer engineer knowledge: building and designing software, CI/CD tools, Git skills, debugging methods and comfort with frequent deployments.
• Expert Python knowledge and familiarity with the modern Python ecosystem tools like uv, ruff, and type annotations.
• A good grasp of modern statically typed programming language paradigms; Rust being a valued plus.
• Experience in a cloud environment.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• A collaborative attitude and ability to work well with team members from multidisciplinary backgrounds.

You may also have:

• Experience with NoSQL (OpenSearch) and SQL (ClickHouse) databases.
• Experience working flexibly, remotely, and adapting quickly to changes in priority in an agile environment.
• Previous experience working in the research or life science industries.
• Knowledge of human genetics, genomics, and/or drug discovery and mental health/psychiatric conditions; or interest in learning about these topics.

We are open to applicants at different career stages, but we are keen to find someone who wants to work with modern technologies and embrace industry standards in order to tackle complex challenges in large‑scale data, drug discovery and informatics.

Additional information: Our flagship application, the Open Targets Platform, is open‑source and powered by a Python data pipeline running on Apache Airflow. The data is served by a Scala API that we are rewriting in Rust, and displayed in a modern React Web Application. You will be based at EMBL‑EBI on the Genome campus, Hinxton, and will also be required to attend meetings with the OPP team members, project stakeholders and occasionally patient groups at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.

Contract length: Project‑based contract with maximum duration of 30 months, start date dependent. Salary: Grade 5.0 – Monthly salary starting at £3,303.40 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Plus, generous benefits.