At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative software for natural language search and AI integration.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leader in bioinformatics and life sciences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous time off.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and international opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global research and tackle humanity's biggest challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree in computer science or bioinformatics; experience with AI and software development.
The predicted salary is between 39636 - 44340 € per year.
The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking a talented and motivated Software Engineer to join our SearchBot project. This initiative will pilot natural language query (NLQ) capabilities across EBI Search, which indexes more than 6.6 billion records from EMBL-EBI’s life science resources. The project will also explore frameworks for integrating specialised search services, such as sequence and chemical searches, with modern AI agents using emerging standards like the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Your role
- You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying prototype services that enable natural language queries across EBI metadata and selected data type specific searches.
- Implement MCP-based services to expose search endpoints to AI agents.
- Develop a central NLQ entry point integrating metadata search and specialised search modalities.
- Support multilingual search and text summarisation.
- Work closely with the user community, organising workshops, surveys, and UX testing to capture evolving requirements in a rapidly changing technical environment.
- Collaborate with EMBL-EBI technical teams and external partners to ensure interoperability, scalability, and sustainability of the developed services.
Qualifications
- University degree in computer science, bioinformatics, or a related field.
- Experience with emerging AI agent standards like MCP.
- Strong experience in software development (Python, Java, or similar) and working with search technologies (e.g. Lucene/SOLR, Elasticsearch).
- Familiarity with natural language processing, large language models, or conversational AI frameworks.
- Proven ability to engage with scientific communities and translate user requirements into technical solutions.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
You may also have
- Knowledge of biological data resources and their use in research.
- Experience with user experience testing and workshop facilitation.
Contract and compensation
- Contract length: 3 year project limited contract.
- Salary: Grade 5 or 6 depending on experience. Monthly salary starting at £3,303 or £3,695 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Plus, generous benefits.
Next Steps
This vacancy will run from 27th April with a scheduled closing date of Sunday 17th May. Please submit your application as soon as possible, including both an up-to-date CV and a cover letter for consideration.
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 Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a collaborative and inclusive community where our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.
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.
- Diversity and inclusion: EMBL believes 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: Submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown. We aim to respond within two weeks after the closing date.
Closing Date: 17/05/2026
Software Engineer – Natural Language Search and AI Integration in Cambridge employer: European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI
At EMBL-EBI, we offer a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of bioinformatics, where your contributions directly impact global health and scientific advancement. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and professional growth, supported by generous benefits such as flexible working arrangements, extensive leave, and a vibrant campus life. Join us on the Wellcome Genome Campus, where you can thrive in a diverse and inclusive environment while tackling some of humankind's greatest challenges.
Contact Detail:
European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer – Natural Language Search and AI Integration in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to EMBL-EBI. Attend meetups or online webinars related to AI and bioinformatics to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving natural language processing or AI integration. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to software development and search technologies. Don’t forget to brush up on your communication skills, as collaboration is key in this role!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the EMBL-EBI team and contributing to meaningful projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer – Natural Language Search and AI Integration in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of Software Engineer for the SearchBot project. Highlight your experience with natural language processing and AI standards like MCP, and show us how your skills align with our mission at EMBL-EBI.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your CV, don’t just list your qualifications—demonstrate your software development prowess! Include specific projects or experiences where you’ve used Python, Java, or search technologies like Elasticsearch. We want to see what you can bring to the table!
Engage with the Community:Since this role involves working closely with the user community, mention any relevant experiences you have in engaging with scientific communities. Whether it’s through workshops or surveys, let us know how you’ve captured user requirements in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our online system! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing applications come in directly from our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, Java, and search technologies such as Lucene/SOLR or Elasticsearch. Brush up on your knowledge of natural language processing and AI frameworks, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with user communities and technical teams, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in collaborative projects. Highlight any workshops or UX testing you've facilitated, and how you’ve translated user requirements into technical solutions.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about how you would implement MCP-based services or support multilingual search. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Engage with the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with EMBL-EBI’s goals and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their mission to accelerate science and tackle global challenges. Showing genuine interest in their work can set you apart from other candidates.
