At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to develop a cutting-edge data platform for life-changing science.
- Company: Wellcome Sanger Institute, a leader in genomic and epidemiological research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on human health by solving global challenges with data.
- Qualifications: Experience in data engineering, Python, SQL, and modern data architectures.
The predicted salary is between 50053 - 59000 € per year.
Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We are seeking a Data Engineer at Senior or Principal level to further develop, maintain and operate our data platform within Parasites and Microbes Programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
About the Role:
You will work on a Data Integration and Analysis platform underpinned by a Data Lakehouse (DLH), built on technologies such as object storage, distributed query engines, workflow orchestration, and metadata/catalogue systems. Technologies currently in use include:
- Storage & table formats: MinIO, Delta Lake
- Data processing & query engines: Trino, Apache Spark
- Transformation & orchestration: dbt, Prefect
- Metadata, governance & security: Hive Metastore, DataHub, Apache Ranger, Keycloak, Vault
- Infrastructure & deployment: Kubernetes, Helm
- Data access & visualisation: Apache Superset, CloudBeaver
A key facet of the role will be the delivery of a DLH-based data integration and analysis platform for the icddr,b Climate Hub (iCCH), working in collaboration with international partners to enable robust, reproducible analyses linking climate and demographic variables with health outcomes. You will play an important part in enabling interdisciplinary research by ensuring that data is well-structured, discoverable, and reproducible, supporting scientists to generate new insights from integrated datasets. Ingesting and transforming a wide range of data types (including e.g. geospatial and climate data, along with genomic data) is a key aspect of the role. You will work closely with data engineers, bioinformaticians, and scientists to ensure the platform meets scientific needs while remaining scalable, reliable, and maintainable.
About You:
You will be an experienced Data Engineer with a willingness to operate in a hands-on capacity across all of the layers of the data platform stack. You will be comfortable in translating often-complex scientific and data requirements into robust technical solutions, and be able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Essential Technical Skills:
For both Senior and Principal roles:
- Proficiency in Python, SQL and data transformation practices
- Data modelling and warehousing paradigms (e.g. ELT, Star schemas)
- Modern data platform architectures (e.g. data lakes or lakehouses)
- Distributed query or processing engines (e.g. Trino, Spark, Presto)
- Object storage systems (e.g. S3-compatible systems such as MinIO)
- Workflow orchestration tools (e.g. Prefect, Airflow)
- Containerisation and orchestration (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes)
- CI/CD (e.g. Gitlab CI, Github Actions)
Additional expectations for Principal-level appointments:
- Technical leadership, with the ability to define and drive architectural decisions across complex data ecosystems
- Strong ownership and accountability for quality and reliability
- Designing, developing and operating data platforms at scale
- Line management, mentoring and coaching
About Us:
Within the Parasites and Microbes Programme, we generate and analyse genomic and epidemiological data to better understand infectious diseases and their impact on human populations. Our work increasingly sits at the intersection of multiple data domains, including genomics, public health surveillance, and environmental and climate science. To support our work, we are developing a modern, scalable Data Lakehouse platform that enables the integration, transformation, and analysis of complex, heterogeneous datasets. This platform is central to a number of strategic initiatives, including a collaboration with International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh (icddr,b) to investigate the links between climate change and health outcomes.
Other Information:
Application Process:
- Upload your CV
- Complete the following application form: Application Form
Please complete the application form rather than submitting a cover letter. To ensure your application is considered, please check that the application form is complete; incomplete submissions will be automatically declined.
Salary range (Dependant on skills and experience):
- Grade 1 Principal Data Engineer £61,511 to £73,000
- Grade 2 Senior Data Engineer £50,053 to £59,500
Contract Type: Fixed Term contract until 29th October 2027
Application Timelines:
- Shortlisting 1st - 5th June
- Zoom Interviews 8th - 12th June
- Final Interviews 22nd - 26th June
Closing Date: 31st May 2026
Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:
We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks: LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability, Gender Equity and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We believe people do their best work when they can be their authentic selves. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.
Our Benefits:
We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute. Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.
Data Engineer (Senior or Principal) employer: Sanger Institute
At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, we are dedicated to improving human health through innovative research and a collaborative work culture. As a Data Engineer, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises employee wellbeing, offers hybrid working arrangements, and fosters professional growth through mentorship and diverse staff networks. Join us in making a meaningful impact on global health while enjoying a fulfilling career in a cutting-edge scientific community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Engineer (Senior or Principal)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field, especially those who might have insights into the Wellcome Sanger Institute. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your Python, SQL, and data transformation skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled complex data challenges in the past, as they’ll want to see your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! If you’ve worked on any relevant data platforms or integrations, make sure to highlight them. Use your portfolio to demonstrate your technical prowess and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨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 team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Engineer (Senior or Principal)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start filling out the application form, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in a Data Engineer and how your skills align with our needs.
Tailor Your CV:Your CV should reflect the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role. Highlight your proficiency in Python, SQL, and any experience with data platforms like Lakehouses or tools like Apache Spark. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Complete the Application Form Thoroughly:Instead of a cover letter, we ask you to fill out an application form. Make sure every section is complete and showcases your qualifications. Incomplete submissions will be automatically declined, so double-check before hitting submit!
Show Your Passion for Science:We’re not just looking for technical skills; we want to see your enthusiasm for improving human health and understanding life on Earth. Use the application form to express why you're excited about this opportunity and how you can make a difference.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanger Institute
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, like MinIO, Delta Lake, and Apache Spark. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex data integration challenges. Highlight your ability to translate scientific requirements into technical solutions, as this will demonstrate your value to the team.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You'll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to break down complex ideas is crucial.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your experience working in interdisciplinary teams. Highlight any collaborations with bioinformaticians or scientists, as this role requires a strong focus on teamwork to achieve common goals.
