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For Companies 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 leave.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global research and healthcare advancements.
- Qualifications: Degree in computer science or bioinformatics; strong software development skills required.
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 new initiative will pilot natural language query (NLQ) capabilities across EBI Search, which indexes more than 6.6 billion records from EMBL-EBI’s world-leading 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.
You have
- 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 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 - We invite you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please include both your 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.
- 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.
- Enjoy lots of benefits: Financial incentives, flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, generous time off, relocation package, campus life, 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.
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: 17/05/2026
Software Engineer – Natural Language Search and AI Integration employer: European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Contact Detail:
European Molecular Biology Laboratory Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer – Natural Language Search and AI Integration
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your field, especially those connected to EMBL-EBI. Attend meetups or webinars related to bioinformatics and AI; you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving natural language processing or AI. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you think.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to software development and search technologies. Practice explaining your past projects and how they relate to the role at EMBL-EBI.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the EMBL-EBI team and contributing to meaningful science.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer – Natural Language Search and AI Integration
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the role. We want to see your passion for natural language processing and AI integration, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Software Engineer position. Use keywords from the job description to show us you’re a perfect fit for our SearchBot project.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any projects related to AI, natural language processing, or search technologies, make sure to include them! We love seeing practical examples of your work and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible through our website. This gives us more time to review your application and increases your chances of standing out!
How to prepare for a job interview at European Molecular Biology Laboratory
✨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 Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially in relation to implementing MCP-based services or developing NLQ capabilities. Think of examples from your previous work where you tackled complex challenges and how you approached them.
✨Engage with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with EMBL-EBI’s mission and the impact of their work in the life sciences. Be ready to express why you’re passionate about contributing to meaningful projects that accelerate science and tackle global challenges. This will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.