At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement innovative graph-based search services using Java and Spring.
- Company: Join Elsevier, a leader in scientific research technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous vacation, and a comprehensive pension plan.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific discovery with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience with scalable backend systems required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about building scalable, high-performance data-driven applications? Do you enjoy turning complex datasets into robust, reliable systems that deliver real business impact?
About the team
The Search and AI Platform is Elsevier’s agentic data platform, which powers products such as LeapSpace, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Clinical Key, Reaxys, and our next‑generation AI‑powered search systems. The platform uses agentic services to interrogate our rich knowledge graphs, search and recommendation systems, and our unparalleled collection of research data to deliver insights to the scientific community so they can collaborate more effectively, work smarter, and deliver quality research more quickly.
About the role
The Shared Graph Team is a core part of Elsevier’s Search and AI Platform. This team builds structured queries based on relationships and entity metadata hydration, enabling advanced traversal, discovery, and recommendation systems. As a Senior Software Engineer II, you will work with a passionate team that delivers scalable, reliable, and innovative solutions that accelerate scientific discovery.
Key responsibilities
- Design and implement graph-based search services.
- Develop applications using Java, Spring Boot, Spring, GraphQL, and GraphQL Federation.
- Integrate with databases, web services, or AWS services (Neo4j, DynamoDB, RDS, S3, Parameter Store, SQS, SNS, Kinesis) to support ingestion, storage, and messaging pipelines.
- Champion clean code, SOLID principles, and engineering best practices, set standards and mentor engineers.
- Collaborate with product managers and engineering teams to deliver advanced search and recommendation features.
- Ensure robust monitoring and logging with New Relic and Coralogix, driving reliability and performance.
Requirements
- Proven track record building scalable backend systems and APIs.
- Strong expertise in Java and the Spring Boot ecosystem.
- Hands‑on experience with GraphQL API and REST API design.
- Solid background in cloud‑native architectures with AWS and Kubernetes (EKS).
- Advocate of best practices for rapid development of quality software, including SOLID principles, clean code, architectural design patterns, CI/CD.
- Familiarity with Agile, Kanban, or other iterative development methodologies.
- Comfortable learning new technologies, languages, and tools on the job.
- Inclusive, positive, collaborative mindset and a desire to deliver real business value to customers.
Nice to have
- Experience with Apollo Router or advanced GraphQL federation strategies.
- Background in data modelling for graph‑based systems.
- Familiarity with search platforms or AI‑driven discovery systems.
- Experience working in high‑throughput, distributed systems.
Benefits
- Comprehensive Pension Plan
- Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave
- Maternity, paternity, adoption, and family care leave
- Flexible working hours
- Personal choice budget
- Internal communities and networks
- Various employee discounts
- Recruitment introduction reward
- Employee Assistance Program (global)
If performed in NLD Amsterdam (Radarweg), the base pay range is €100,400 - €167,300. This job may be subject to a collective labor agreement in the Netherlands. We are an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring) employer: RELX
Elsevier is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, particularly within the innovative Search and AI Platform team. Employees benefit from a comprehensive pension plan, generous vacation entitlements, and flexible working hours, all while contributing to impactful projects that accelerate scientific discovery. With ample opportunities for personal growth and a commitment to engineering best practices, Elsevier is dedicated to empowering its workforce in the vibrant city of Amsterdam.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at RELX or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to RELX.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like RELX.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like RELX that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at RELX.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at RELX and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at RELX
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If RELX uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
