At a Glance
- Tasks: Curate bioactivity data and collaborate with scientists to enhance drug discovery resources.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leader in biological data and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive health coverage.
- Other info: Work in a supportive, inclusive environment with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health and scientific research.
- Qualifications: PhD in biological sciences and strong attention to detail required.
The predicted salary is between 3452 - 3452 £ per month.
About the Team
The Chemical Biology Resources Team at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is looking for a talented Scientist with a flair for data curation to be responsible for the quality of bioactivity and drug discovery data in the ChEMBL database. ChEMBL is a world-leading chemogenomics resource, providing open bioactivity data and associated tools to the scientific community. ChEMBL is widely used through both academia and industry to support drug discovery.
Your role
In this role you will be responsible for the curation of biological data in the ChEMBL database. Reporting to the ChEMBL Team Coordinator, you will:
- Work together with the other members of the ChEMBL data team to curate bioactivity data in the ChEMBL database ensuring the delivery of high quality data.
- Map measured bioactivity data from the scientific literature to other biological entities (proteins, cell-lines etc) using a variety of bioinformatics resources and ontologies.
- Work collaboratively with other EMBL-EBI teams to integrate ChEMBL data into their resources and vice versa.
- Proactively identify new data types and additional annotations that address the needs of the community.
- Identify and validate the potential therapeutic targets of drug molecules and compounds in clinical development from a variety of sources.
- Work with data depositors to help them format and curate their data to the standards required for deposition into ChEMBL.
- Manually check and annotate data by reference to the original data sources such as the scientific literature, Pharma Company pipelines and prescribing information.
- Develop semi-automated processes for identifying and correcting erroneous data.
- Be actively involved in training and external user support.
- Work with other team members to publish project outcomes in scientific articles in the peer-reviewed literature.
You have
You will have excellent attention to details, strong communication skills and be able to interact with technical experts as well as scientists seeking solutions to their "real world" problems.
- A PhD (or equivalent) in a biological or biomedical science.
- Excellent knowledge of pharmacology, potential biological targets and mechanisms of drug action.
- Good knowledge of the various experimental techniques used to determine the activity of compounds in different in vitro and in vivo assay systems.
- Ability to work accurately and quickly to deadlines.
- Able to work both as part of a team and independently.
- Good communication skills (both verbal and presentational).
You might also have
- Prior experience of biological data curation and knowledge of bioinformatics databases.
- Some knowledge of biological ontologies.
- Experience of working in a drug discovery environment.
- Experience of working with and manipulating file formats such as FASTA, Excel, XML, OBO and familiarity with regular expressions and text matching.
- Experience of querying relational databases using SQL would also be advantageous.
Behaviours
Our ideal candidate embraces:
- Open mindset – welcoming diverse ideas and perspectives.
- Professional outlook - ensuring meticulous attention to quality and detail.
- Teamwork – working together for shared success.
- Respect – treating all colleagues with professionalism and kindness.
- Inclusivity – allowing everyone space to shine in their own way.
Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
Salary: Grade 5, salary from £3,452.02 after tax, plus generous financial benefits and allowances based on family circumstances. Excluding personal pension and insurance contributions.
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: 28/09/2026
Biological Curator - Chemical Biology Resources employer: European Molecular Biology Laboratory
At EMBL-EBI, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking scientific projects while enjoying a supportive and collaborative work environment on the Wellcome Genome Campus in beautiful Cambridgeshire. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our extensive benefits, including flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and professional development opportunities, all aimed at empowering you to make a meaningful impact in the life sciences and bioinformatics communities.
Contact Details:
European Molecular Biology Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Biological Curator - Chemical Biology Resources
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We think you need these skills to ace Biological Curator - Chemical Biology Resources
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that European Molecular Biology Laboratory does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
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Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
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