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 responsibilities include:

• Lead the backend development for the OPP, including working to scope and prioritise feature development.
• Be 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.
• Work 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.
• Attend regular OPP meetings and contribute to programme strategy.
• Write clean, efficient and readable code to support our Python based data pipeline.
• Contribute to the codebase of our GraphQL API, which is being rewritten in Rust.
• Support our GCP infrastructure, deployed with Terraform and Helm.
• Take ownership of the design and development of new features and pipelines.
• Resolve complex issues with independent problem‑solving and self‑management.
• Assist the Open Targets data team on the execution of our data pipelines for regular release cycles of the Platform.

You will have the opportunity to engage in knowledge sharing activities and contribute 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 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.
• Experience in independent problem‑solving and examples of resolving complex issues.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas or issues to those with technical and non‑technical backgrounds.
• 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.
• Previous experience working with sensitive clinical data and data containers.
• Interest in promoting your work and the ways we have solved complex challenges.

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. The whole stack lives in Kubernetes clusters hosted on Google Cloud Platform; and we are using Prometheus, Grafana and Loki to provide observability on it. 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.

This vacancy is published from Tuesday, 24th March with a scheduled closing date of Tuesday, 21st April and we invite you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert sooner than published in the event that we identify a suitable candidate sooner. Please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter detailing motivations for applying and relevant, transferable skills for this role.

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. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non‑resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long‑term care, accident‑at‑work and unemployment insurances.
• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns.
• 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 public holidays.
• Relocation package including installation grant (if required).
• 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, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances.
• Benefits for non‑UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non‑resident allowance.

What else you need to know:

International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information. EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here. Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date: 21/04/2026