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- Tasks: Develop reliable software for COSMIC, supporting cancer genomics with Python and modern web frameworks.
- Company: Join a passionate team at COSMIC, making a real difference in cancer research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that impact patients globally while expanding your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with Django, RESTful APIs, and cloud technologies like GCP or AWS.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on learning and adapting to new technologies.
The predicted salary is between 38219 - 45000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking a passionate Software Developer (Backend) to join our team in developing the best of modern websites and supporting our infrastructure. You will support the world’s key cancer genomics resource, COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations of Cancer).
About The Role
The role focuses on developing reliable, maintainable software using Python-based technologies and modern web frameworks, while supporting deployment, testing, security, monitoring, and ongoing system maintenance. The position also contributes to the design of cloud‑ready architectures that ensure COSMIC platforms remain secure, scalable, and resilient, supporting both existing services and the development of new products.
About You
You must be a skilled and passionate Software Developer (Backend). You will care about writing clean, high‑quality, readable and maintainable code to support our growing suite of products. You must be a good communicator and be able to understand the goals and aims of the collaborative COSMIC team and its customers of researchers, scientists, and clinicians, globally. You will hold a transformational role within COSMIC that will collaborate with the Software Development Leads (web and data), Product Management. You will help to co‑design a completely new suite of bespoke enterprise‑level systems to support COSMIC’s future innovation of products to promote commercial success. Additionally, you will be responsible for maintaining the existing legacy systems. You will co‑design and implement high‑quality, readable and clean APIs and web services using Python and Django. Furthermore, you will assume responsibility for deployment, testing, security, monitoring, and maintenance of COSMIC’s products. You will have good technical experience with either GCP or AWS and Docker. You will understand the importance of automation, CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code. You will have technical experience on web frameworks — Django, Django‑Rest‑Framework, FastAPI and/or NodeJS. This role has great scope for expanding your skills, knowledge, and interests as a Senior web developer. You will join a multidisciplinary, committed, and supportive team with the opportunity to work on innovative products that make a real difference to patients around the world.
Essential Technical Skills
- Experience in web frameworks — Django, Django‑Rest‑Framework, FastAPI and/or NodeJS
- Experience in writing unit tests, integration tests and applying TDD
- Understanding of clean code principles and thoughtful use of design patterns
- Experience using containers (Docker), working in a Cloud environment
- Knowledge of writing and consuming RESTful APIs
- Knowledge of building web services that depend on complex database relationships
Essential Competencies And Behaviours
- Enthusiasm, commitment and attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise activities and manage the own workload independently
- Ability to explain technical issues effectively and understandably to non-technical users
- Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders at all levels
- Ability to understand scientific and technical challenges
- Excellent, broad-based and self-reliant problem‑solving skills
- Shows curiosity and a willingness to learn new technologies, tools, and ways of working
- Adjusts to changing requirements, priorities, or technical approaches
- Welcomes feedback from peers and seniors
- Collaborates effectively with team members and contributes to shared goals
Salary and Contract
Salary per annum: ÂŁ38,219 - ÂŁ45,000
Software Developer job family: Grade 3
Contract Type: Permanent
Software Developer (Back End) - COSMIC employer: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Contact Detail:
Wellcome Sanger Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Developer (Back End) - COSMIC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those using Python, Django, or any relevant tech. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions and coding challenges. Practice explaining your thought process clearly, as communication is key in collaborative environments like COSMIC.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at COSMIC.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Developer (Back End) - COSMIC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for software development shine through! We want to see that you care about creating high-quality, maintainable code and are excited about contributing to COSMIC's mission.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Python, Django, and any relevant web frameworks. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your technical expertise!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the role. Share specific examples of your past work, especially those that demonstrate your ability to collaborate and solve problems in a team setting.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wellcome Sanger Institute
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, Django, and Docker. Brush up on your knowledge of RESTful APIs and cloud environments like GCP or AWS. Being able to discuss your experience with these tools will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past. Think about specific instances where you used clean code principles or design patterns to solve a problem. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively, which is essential for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working with a diverse team, practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to describe a project or a technical issue to someone without a technical background. Being able to communicate effectively is just as important as your coding skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your experience working in teams and how you’ve contributed to shared goals. Highlight any collaborative projects you've been part of, especially those that required input from various stakeholders. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in achieving success.