GWAS Catalog Project Lead

The GWAS Catalog is the primary repository of findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable human genome wide association data, obtained through literature curation and user deposition, and used worldwide. In addition to delivering the GWAS Catalog knowledgebase and interfaces, the team develops a range of tools and services to support data deposition, literature extraction, data annotation and seamless integration of the data into other resources, including sibling resource the Polygenic Score Catalog.

We’re seeking a talented and collaborative Project Lead to lead a team of software developers, bioinformaticians & content specialists to deliver the GWAS Catalog. You will work directly with expert biologists and users of the resource internal to EMBL-EBI and externally from our collaborators and the resource’s user community. You'll bring experience of scientific knowledgebase delivery, the FAIR principles and have excellent technical skills coupled with a solid understanding of human genetic variation data and its applications. You'll also bring a solid understanding of emerging applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning within bioinformatics, biocuration or software development. To be successful in this role you'll enjoy problem solving, collaborating with others and using your analytical mind to advance life sciences.

Your role as Project Lead will involve delivering robust and scalable data and tools into the AI era, working as part of a diverse and collaborative team. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and other members of the Sample, Phenotypes and Ontologies team, you will be responsible for:

• Defining requirements with the GWAS content team, expert biologists and external collaborators and translating these into new features for the curators and external users.
• Defining the technical strategy for delivery of new features in the ingest, query, GUI, API, bioinformatics and data curation software and evolution of the infrastructure.
• Leading and developing AI process for resource delivery.
• Providing vision and direction to the product roadmap; planning and prioritising the backlog using Agile processes.
• Managing testing, releases and change control; overseeing environments, dependencies and timelines.
• Designing data and meta-data standards for use in the Catalog, supported by senior content staff, and ensuring these meet the needs of the community.
• Working with institutional IT support to achieve robust deployment strategy and best practice in data security.
• Managing and mentoring team members and ensuring good communication within the team.

Outside of your technical role you will be expected to:

• Develop and manage collaborations with internal and external teams, including sibling resource the Polygenic Score Catalog.
• Represent the team and the institute at meetings with the funder and contribute to the writing of reports, grants and scientific publications.
• Represent the project to the user community at international conferences and oversee the delivery of communications and outreach activities to the scientific community such as workshops and training.

You have:

• A higher degree (or BSc + equivalent experience) in bioinformatics, biomedical science or computer science. Candidates with a computer science background must have demonstrable experience working with biomedical data and understanding of human genetic variation data and uses.
• Experience delivering production quality software or data on a regular release cycle to meet project needs.
• Experience improving data infrastructure and access mechanisms within scientific research environments.
• Experience in implementing AI methods to support coding or biocuration tasks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate and draft technical documents, to contribute to and lead team meetings, as well as provide user orientated communication with external and internal users of the systems your team builds and maintains, and to translate technical concepts for non-expert audiences.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

You may also have:

• Experience in convening user communities e.g. through delivering outreach activities.
• Experience delivering projects using Agile methodologies, with ability to prioritise work, manage backlogs, and ensure alignment with user needs.
• Experience working with IT support teams to develop robust deployment strategies and ensure best practice in data security.
• Experience in managing a small team.

Additional information: The GWAS Catalog is an open source project consisting of data platform, web applications and APIs. It has a diverse technical stack, including Java/Spring-based microservices, relational database and document store, Python data pipelines orchestrated by Nextflow, and JavaScript web applications. The whole stack runs on Kubernetes and VMs, with compute-intensive jobs executed on HPC infrastructure managed by Slurm as the scheduler. We also maintain a suite of user-facing Python tools, each with comprehensive documentation.

Contract length: 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to funding renewal. Salary: Grade 7, monthly salary from £4,206.37 after tax, plus generous benefits. Excluding 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 every day, but most of our team work two days on site and three from home.

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.

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here.

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: 31/05/2026