At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the BioStudies team to develop software that supports global life sciences research.
- Company: EMBL-EBI, a leader in biological data storage and analysis.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, private medical insurance, and 30 days annual leave.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth and international opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific challenges while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: 5 years of software development experience, preferably in Java or Kotlin.
The predicted salary is between 41425 - 41425 £ per year.
We are looking for a software engineer who will join the BioStudies team at EMBL-EBI. BioStudies database is a general-purpose resource for sharing and publishing life sciences data that enables deposition, archiving and access for a wide range of data types, and serves the worldwide scientific community.
You will join a team of software engineers responsible for the design, development and operations of the software infrastructure that ensures that BioStudies can support scientists all over the world by being able to ingest, process, persist and distribute high volumes of heterogeneous life sciences data. You will work together with other teams at EBI that use the services of or provide services to BioStudies, as well as EBI’s IT and Technical services teams.
In your role as a software engineer, your main responsibilities will be further design and development of the software components that support BioStudies: backend, data access web services and applications, and the data submission web application. There are several new types of data that BioStudies aims to support, such as protein–ligand interaction data, synthetic data, and data associated with life sciences AI models. You will help support these new areas while maintaining the generic nature of BioStudies systems.
We are looking for a candidate who will help with shaping the further development of BioStudies, and is willing to learn new technical skills, as well as provide technical support to our users.
You will have:
- At least 5 years software development experience using Java or Kotlin and Spring framework
- At least 3 years web application development experience
- Experience with search engines (Lucene/Solr/Elasticsearch)
- Excellent knowledge of the UNIX command line
- Experience with the modern, fundamental software development practices, including continuous integration and deployment, application of various software testing principles, processes and tools, system monitoring
- Ability to work as part of a team of people with a range of skills and a diversity of backgrounds
You may also have:
- Experience working in a multidisciplinary scientific environment
- Web design experience
- Python experience
- Experience with Vue.js or another widely used JavaScript framework (React/Angular)
Contract length: 3-year fixed-term contract (renewable to a maximum of 9 years).
Salary: Grade 5 - Monthly salary starting at £3,452.05 per month 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.
- 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.
- Enjoy lots of benefits: Financial incentives, flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, generous time off, relocation package, campus life benefits, family benefits, and benefits for non-UK residents.
What else you need to know:
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions.
- 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: 23/08/2026
Software Engineer in Cambridge 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
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We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer in Cambridge
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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.
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✨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 European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
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