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- Tasks: Curate biological data in the ChEMBL database and ensure high-quality data delivery.
- Company: Join EMBL-EBI, a leading institute in bioinformatics and drug discovery.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical insurance, 30 days leave, and family allowances.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team making a real impact in drug discovery.
- Qualifications: PhD in biological sciences and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: International applicants welcome with generous relocation support.
Monthly salary starting at £3,064 – £3,303 per month after tax
* Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278 monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non resident allowance up to £569 per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
* Hybrid working arrangements
* 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 to eight bank holidays
* Relocation package including installation grant (as applicable)
* 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, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
* Contract duration: This position is a grant based contract until January 2028
* Salary: Monthly salary starting at £3,064 – £3,303 after tax but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances)
* International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.
* Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
* Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
Job Description
About the Team
The Chemical Biology Services 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. You will work in a team-oriented environment, collaborating closely with fellow scientists and technical experts, chemo- and bio-informaticians and software engineers across EMBL-EBI and with our many external partners from the UK and internationally.
Duties & Responsibilities
In this role you will:
* You will be responsible for the curation of biological data in the ChEMBL database.
* Reporting to the ChEMBL team coordinator, the job responsibilities will include:
* To 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
* To map measured bioactivity data from the scientific literature to other biological entities (proteins, cell-lines etc) using a variety of bioinformatics resources and ontologies
* To identify and validate the potential therapeutic targets of drug molecules and compounds in clinical development from a variety of sources
* To work with data depositors to help them format and curate their data to the standards required for deposition into ChEMBL
* To manually check and annotate data by reference to the original data sources such as the scientific literature, Pharma Company pipelines and prescribing information
* To develop semi-automated processes for identifying and correcting erroneous data
* To be actively involved in training and external user support
* To work with other team members to publish project outcomes in scientific articles in the peer-reviewed literature
Requirements
You have (Requirements)
* 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 (Desirable)
* 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
* 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.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 25/08/2025.
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Biological Curator employer: GenomeWeb LLC
Contact Detail:
GenomeWeb LLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Biological Curator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the ChEMBL database and its functionalities. Understanding how bioactivity data is curated and accessed will give you a significant edge during interviews, as you'll be able to discuss specific features and improvements you could contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of bioinformatics and drug discovery. Attend relevant conferences or webinars where you can meet current employees from EMBL-EBI or similar organisations. This can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of biological ontologies and data curation practices. Being able to demonstrate your understanding of these concepts during discussions will show your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with various experimental techniques and data formats mentioned in the job description. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used these in past roles, as this will highlight your practical skills and relevance to the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Biological Curator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Biological Curator position. Highlight your relevant experience in biological data curation and your understanding of pharmacology. Mention specific skills that align with the job description, such as your ability to work with bioinformatics resources.
Showcase Your Qualifications: In your CV, clearly outline your educational background, especially your PhD or equivalent in biological or biomedical sciences. Include any relevant experience in drug discovery environments and your familiarity with various experimental techniques.
Demonstrate Attention to Detail: Since the role requires excellent attention to detail, consider including examples in your application that showcase your meticulousness. This could be through previous projects where you ensured high-quality data curation or validation.
Highlight Teamwork and Communication Skills: The job involves collaboration with various experts, so emphasise your teamwork and communication skills in both your cover letter and CV. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked in teams and communicated complex information effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at GenomeWeb LLC
✨Know Your Data
Familiarise yourself with the ChEMBL database and its significance in drug discovery. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure the quality of bioactivity data and your experience with biological data curation.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves collaboration with various experts, demonstrate your strong communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex scientific concepts to non-experts or worked within a team.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
If you have prior experience in biological data curation or drug discovery, make sure to highlight this during the interview. Discuss specific projects where you contributed to data accuracy or collaborated with other scientists.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to pharmacology, biological targets, and experimental techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be ready to explain how they relate to the responsibilities of the role.
