At a Glance
- Tasks: Curate and maintain protein structure information for a leading global database.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a top-tier research institute in the heart of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with access to cutting-edge resources and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific discovery and contribute to global health challenges.
- Qualifications: PhD or MSc in structural biology; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 38430 - 41425 £ per year.
Your role is to join the UniProt at EMBL-EBI as a Scientific Database Curator in the Protein Function Content Team and help maintain one of the world's leading protein knowledge resources used by researchers worldwide. UniProt provides expertly curated protein sequence and functional information, including structural data from key resources such as the PDB, AlphaFold DB, and the 3D-Beacons Network. These data support biological discovery, structural biology, drug discovery, functional annotation, and biomedical research by making high-quality protein knowledge accessible through expert curation, integrated data resources, and programmatic services.
We are seeking a Scientific Database Curator with a strong background in structural biology to contribute to the integration, curation, and maintenance of protein structure information in UniProt. In this role, you will work at the interface of structural biology, biocuration, and bioinformatics, helping to connect experimentally determined and predicted protein structures with high-quality UniProt protein annotations. You will collaborate closely with expert biocurators and developers in UniProt, PDBe, and other structural biology partners to support robust workflows and the timely incorporation of structural data into UniProt releases. You will also contribute to UniProt training and communication activities.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Involvement in the development and maintenance of pipelines between UniProt and key structural biology resources, including the PDB, AlphaFold DB, and the 3D-Beacons Network.
- Taking the lead to ensure the integration of protein structure information into UniProt by coordinating data/information exchange with key collaborators according to the UniProt release cycle.
- Curation of UniProt protein entries with structural data, with a particular focus on newly available and biologically important structures.
- Effective collaboration within the UniProt curation and development teams at EMBL-EBI, with the wider UniProt Consortium, and with PDBe and other structural biology partners.
- Participation in UniProt training and communication activities, including activities that promote the use and understanding of UniProt structural data.
- Participation in EMBL-EBI-wide training and activities (e.g. AI-assisted biocuration forum).
You will have
- A PhD or MSc in structural biology, or a related life science discipline.
- Strong understanding of structural biology and the ability to interpret complex scientific literature.
- Ability to work with structured data and attention to detail.
- Strong organisational and analytical skills.
- Strong interest in intelligent use of AI.
- Familiarity with biological databases or/and bioinformatics resources, and bioinformatic analyses.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international team.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and English language skills.
You may also have
- Experience with biocuration and/or annotation of biological databases.
- Experience with ontologies and controlled vocabularies (e.g. Gene Ontology).
- Experience using bioinformatics tools or scripting languages (e.g. Python or R).
- Experience in text mining, natural language processing, or AI-assisted literature analysis.
- Experience collaborating in international scientific projects or consortia.
Contract and Salary
- Contract length: Project-based, 3 year fixed-term Staff Member contract, with possibility for extension subject to the availability of grant-funding.
- Salary: Grade 4 or Grade 5, depending on qualification level - Monthly salary starting at £3,202.52 per month (grade 4) or £3,452.05 (grade 5) after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Plus, generous benefits.
Why join us
- Do something meaningful: At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.
- Join a culture of innovation: We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.
Scientific Database Curator employer: EMBL
ELIXIR is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, ideal for those passionate about advancing life sciences. Located near the vibrant city of Cambridge, UK, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages professional growth and impactful contributions to scientific research. With a commitment to uniting diverse stakeholders and driving meaningful change, ELIXIR offers unique opportunities to shape the future of data infrastructure in Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientific Database Curator
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at EMBL, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like EMBL. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientific Database Curator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at EMBL. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at EMBL. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMBL
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at EMBL. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at EMBL to drive research projects forward.
