At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Velankar team to enhance biological data processing and develop web applications.
- Company: EMBL-EBI, a leader in biological data analysis and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and relocation support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities in a beautiful campus setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health and biodiversity through innovative bioinformatics.
- Qualifications: MSc or PhD in bioinformatics, Python proficiency, and experience in data analysis.
About The Team
We are seeking a skilled bioinformatician who is enthusiastic about developing and maintaining high-quality genome resources for microbial research communities to join the Ensembl Microbes team.
Role Summary / Context
We are seeking a skilled bioinformatician who is enthusiastic about developing and maintaining high-quality genome resources for microbial research communities to join the Ensembl Microbes team.
As part of the Ensembl project, Ensembl Microbes provides access to bacterial, archaeal, fungal and protist genomes and their annotations to research communities worldwide.
We collaborate closely with bioinformaticians, software engineers and project leaders across Ensembl to manage data flows, increase the representation of microbial genomes, develop new features and annotations, and ensure reliable data delivery.
Ensembl Microbes is also part of EMBL-EBI’s Microbiome Informatics team, which develops the MGnify resource and AMR Portal, providing opportunities for collaboration on shared datasets and methods. We are also active partners in international collaborations to support the annotation and dissemination of microbial genomes.
The Microbiome Informatics team is led by Rob Finn, who also oversees the Ensembl resource. You will report directly to Tatiana Gurbich, the Microbial Genomes Project Lead.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
In This Role You Will
- Maintain the microbial genomes in Ensembl, including identifying and loading new genome annotations, ensuring data is presented correctly, and diagnosing and resolving issues promptly
- Coordinate releases within a release-based environment, working closely with other Ensembl subteams
- Identify and assess new genome annotation tools, especially those that are specific to microbial taxa, to provide specific annotations that go beyond the default annotations provided by Ensembl
- Contribute to the development of our functional annotation pipelines and help shape representation of microbial functional annotations in Ensembl
- Design, build and test technical solutions to make processes more efficient
- Create and maintain clear, up to date documentation
- Contribute to code reviews and team meetings
- Interact with other groups at EMBL-EBI and external collaborators, data generators and user communities, representing the team's work
Person Specification
Essential
- A Master’s degree in bioinformatics, biology, computer science or related field, or equivalent experience
- Knowledge of prokaryotic and/or microbial eukaryotic biology
- Strong Python skills, with demonstrable ability to write production-quality code
- Experience building computational pipelines with Nextflow, Snakemake or similar
- Experience with relational databases (e.g. MySQL, PostgreSQL), UNIX/Linux, and HPC or cloud environments
- Experience applying genome analysis/annotation tools and working with common bioinformatics formats (e.g. FASTA, GFF3)
- Experience with software development best practices, including version control (e.g. Git), testing and code review
- Familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools, and an understanding of how to critically evaluate, validate, and improve their outputs
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, reproducible work
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, prioritise tasks, and take ownership of projects from development through to delivery
Desirable
- Hands-on experience with the Ensembl platform or other genome browser
- Experience working in a multi-person team delivering production services
- Experience with large-scale biological datasets
- Experience working with the Apache Parquet file format
- Experience implementing AI/ML approaches for quality control and/or genome annotation
Behaviours We Value In Our Team
You bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a focus on impact to your work. You enjoy turning ideas into well-executed solutions, are able to manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with colleagues across multidisciplinary and international teams.
Other helpful information
Contract length: 3 years
Salary: Grade 5, monthly salary from £3,452.05 after tax, plus generous financial benefits based on family circumstances. Excl. personal pension and insurance contributions.
Hybrid Working: At EMBL-EBI we are pleased to offer hybrid working options for all our employees. A dedicated desk will be available everyday, our team works a minimum of two days on site (Tuesday and Thursday).
Interviews: We anticipate that panel interviews for this post will take place in the week commencing October 19th, 2026, remotely.
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.
Closing Date
20/09/2026
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Bioinformatician employer: European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI
ELIXIR is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of life science data management in a collaborative and innovative environment. With generous benefits including flexible working arrangements, extensive professional development opportunities, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on scientific research across Europe. The vibrant campus life in Hinxton, UK, further enhances the experience, providing a supportive community for both personal and professional growth.
Contact Details:
European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bioinformatician
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the bioinformatics field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job or can introduce you to someone at EMBL-EBI.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with Python and data pipelines. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that relate to protein domain analysis or web applications.
✨Be Curious and Ask Questions
During interviews or networking events, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the team’s current projects or challenges. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand how you can contribute to their goals at EMBL-EBI.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your CV gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the innovative team at EMBL-EBI!
We think you need these skills to ace Bioinformatician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your passion for bioinformatics and how your skills align with the role. Be creative and show us why you're the perfect fit for the Velankar team!
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your experience in protein domain analysis and data pipelines. Highlight any relevant projects or publications that demonstrate your expertise in Python and bioinformatics.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since excellent written and oral English skills are key, make sure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless necessary. We want to see how well you can communicate complex ideas!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the best way to apply is through our online system. It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right place. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity – hit that apply button!
How to prepare for a job interview at European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Basics
Make sure you brush up on your bioinformatics fundamentals, especially around protein domains and data analysis. Be ready to discuss your experience with Python libraries and how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Since the role requires a creative mindset, think of examples where you've innovated or improved processes in your previous work. Prepare to share specific instances where your curiosity led to impactful results.
✨Familiarise Yourself with PDBe and SCOP
Do some research on the PDBe and SCOP teams, their projects, and how they contribute to the field. Being able to discuss their work and how you can add value will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to data pipelines and web applications. Brush up on your knowledge of PDB data formats and be ready to explain your approach to creating and improving biological data processing pipelines.
