Software Engineer (12-month fixed-term contract) in Norwich

We’re hiring a platform-leaning Full-Stack Engineer to build the services that power Tropic’s internal scientific tools, linking laboratory workflows, sequencing metadata, and bioinformatics pipelines into reliable, production-grade systems.

Job Purpose

This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys backend engineering, data modelling, cloud deployment, and making systems robust, while still being able to deliver pragmatic UI when needed. You’ll help create the “platform layer” that makes scientific work scalable and repeatable:

• Workflow services for request intake, sample/run tracking, job orchestration, and results delivery
• Metadata + lineage systems to connect lab inputs → pipeline runs → outputs, with traceability
• APIs and integrations to connect internal apps with pipelines and storage systems

Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend services and REST APIs that integrate lab operations with bioinformatics pipelines (validation, async execution, status tracking, retries).
• Own data modelling and persistence: schema design, migrations, indexing, query performance, and data quality controls (PostgreSQL preferred).
• Build job execution patterns for long‑running analysis workflows (queue‑based execution, async workers, idempotency, audit logs).
• Integrate with cloud storage and compute (GCP preferred): object storage, service‑to‑service auth, eventing/messaging, and data warehousing where relevant.
• Deliver production readiness: logging/monitoring, alerting, security, permissions, secrets management, and operational runbooks.
• Contribute to UI where it matters: lightweight interfaces for workflow initiation, run monitoring, and results discovery (React/TypeScript).
• Collaborate with bioinformaticians and scientists to translate workflows into scalable, maintainable systems.

Requirements

• 3-6+ years' experience building and operating backend services in production.
• Strong backend skills in Python (FastAPI/Flask/Django) and API design (REST, auth, versioning).
• Experience with async workloads (task queues, background workers, event‑driven design, long‑running jobs).
• Hands‑on delivery with Docker, CI/CD, and production deployments.
• Comfortable owning reliability: observability, incident‑ready thinking, security basics, and pragmatic trade‑offs.
• Able to collaborate across disciplines and communicate clearly with non‑engineers.

Nice‑to‑have

• Workflow orchestration familiarity: Snakemake, Nextflow, Airflow, or similar.
• Experience with RBAC, audit logging, secrets management, or regulated‑data practices.
• Familiarity with scientific/NGS concepts (metadata, QC, FASTQ/BAM/VCF).
• Frontend experience with React/TypeScript is a plus.

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, producers 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?

• Build platform services used directly by scientists and bioinformaticians
• High ownership, real production systems, and visible impact
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration in a mission‑driven company
• Social events throughout the year
• Competitive compensation and benefits including Private Medical Care, Medical Cash Plan, 25 days annual leave, Group Income Protection and Life Assurance

Further Information

Job Location – Hybrid - with some presence on Norwich site