At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable data architecture for groundbreaking scientific projects.
- Company: Join Tropic, a leader in agricultural gene-editing innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, private health care, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food security and sustainability through data engineering.
- Qualifications: Five years' experience in data engineering with strong Python and SQL skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are looking for our first dedicated data engineer to define and build the shared data foundation for a complex, high-value scientific estate.
Tropic has built a decade of proprietary scientific evidence spanning gene-editing outcomes, field trials, genotyping, phenotyping and product decisions.
This role will make that evidence more connected, traceable and reusable, enabling scientists and AI applications to learn from previous results and improve future crop-development decisions.
You will define the architecture that connects Tropic's scientific and operational data through shared identifiers, metadata, lineage and governance.
Working with Bioinformatics, IT and business data owners, you will recommend the data engineering stack to support AI programmes across science, commercial, pipeline and supply.
Within your first year, you will launch the first connected scientific data layer and operationalise the shared architecture supporting Tropic's AI programs connecting genome-editing designs with experimental, genotyping and phenotypic outcomes so that we can systematically learn from our own data and improve future design decisions.
The architecture developed through this work will provide a foundation for wider scientific, operational, analytics and AI applications.
What you will do
- Design and build scalable data architecture, models, pipelines and integrations across scientific and business systems.
- Establish consistent approaches to identifiers, metadata, data quality, lineage and traceability.
- Create reusable data foundations that support bioinformatics, analytics, machine learning and AI.
- Evaluate technical options and help establish data-engineering standards and best practices.
- Work closely with scientists, Bioinformatics and IT to translate complex questions into practical data solutions.
Essential skills and experience
- Around five years' experience in data engineering, software engineering or a related data-platform role, with experience taking ownership of technical design.
- Strong hands-on experience with Python and SQL.
- Experience designing data models and data architectures across multiple systems and building and operating production-quality ETL/ELT pipelines and automated data workflows.
- Experience integrating heterogeneous data sources, databases and APIs.
- Experience with workflow orchestration tooling (e. g. Airflow, Dagster or dbt) for scheduling and operating production data pipelines.
- Good understanding of data quality, metadata, lineage, testing and reproducibility.
- Ability to evaluate technical options and make pragmatic, scalable and cost-aware architecture decisions.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate ambiguous requirements into implementable solutions.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams.
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience in one or more of the following would be an advantage, but is not required:
- Scientific, biotechnology, life-sciences or other R&D data.
- Azure and/or Google Cloud Platform.
- ELN or LIMS platforms such as Benchling.
- Preparing data for analytics, machine learning or AI applications.
- Semantic modelling, ontologies or knowledge graphs.
- CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code or other modern software-engineering practices
About Us
Tropic is one of the world’s leading agricultural gene-editing companies.
Our team is dedicated to the development and commercialization of high-performing varieties of tropical crops to provide significant benefits to growers, processors, and consumers globally, tackling real-world problems around food security and sustainability.
Our vision is to become a leading seed business with significant ownership of its products from the laboratory to the field, while maintaining constructive relationships with growers and consumers based on transparency and trust.
Why Join Tropic?
Competitive compensation and benefits including Private Health Care, Medical Cash Plan, 25 days annual leave and Life Assurance
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- Diverse workforce operating in a dynamic working environment
- Further Information
- Job Location – Norwich UK (on-site two days a week)
- Time Requirement – Full Time
- Contract – Permanent
Scientific Data Platform Engineer in Norwich employer: Tropic Biosciences
Tropic Biosciences is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of Norwich. Employees benefit from hands-on experience in regulatory processes, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking agricultural advancements. With a commitment to employee development and a supportive environment, this role offers a unique pathway to expand your skills while making a meaningful impact in the field of biotechnology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientific Data Platform Engineer in Norwich
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Tropic Biosciences, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Tropic Biosciences. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientific Data Platform Engineer in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Tropic Biosciences. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Tropic Biosciences. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tropic Biosciences
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Tropic Biosciences. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Tropic Biosciences to drive research projects forward.
