Job Description
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Bioinformatician to work in the European Variation Archive (www.ebi.ac.uk/eva) at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), located on the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge (UK).
The successful applicant will work in a team of developers, biologists and user support personnel as part of the European Variation Archive (EVA, https://www.ebi.ac.uk/eva/), a leading open resource for archiving, accessioning, and distributing genome variation including single nucleotide variants, short insertion and deletions (indels), and larger structural variants (SVs) in any species. We work closely with other groups at EBI such as Ensembl variation, Ensembl Genomes, the European Genome-phenome Archive, WormBase, Open Targets, and external portals to provide genetic variation data. We are active contributors to the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) to promote open and interoperable standards for sharing genetic variation.
One of the main responsibilities of the bioinformatician will be the provision of user-facing services such as study submission, metadata and data validation, and processing. The candidate must be committed to organization, documentation, and timely response time to external users’ requests. You will also provide input to the requirements and design of pipelines and APIs for the management, transfer, release, and analysis of genetic data. The team is managed using agile methodologies using a mix of RT, JIRA and Confluence in a collaborative environment.
You will engage in both national and international collaborations, represent the EVA at international meetings, and engage with particular species community resources and portals (e.g. WheatIS, Gramene, Rat Genome Database, Mouse Genome Informatics etc.).
At EMBL-EBI, we help scientists realise the potential of ‘big data’ in biology by enabling them to exploit complex information to make discoveries that benefit mankind. Working for EMBL-EBI gives you an opportunity to apply your skills and energy for the greater good. As part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), we are a non-profit, intergovernmental organisation funded by 23 member states and two associate member states and proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge in the UK, and our 600 staff are engineers, technicians, scientists and other professionals from all over the world.
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor's or higher degree in computational biology, bioinformatics or life sciences. Additional degree qualification would be advantageous. You must have the following skills:
- Demonstrable experience of bioinformatics analysis
- Knowledge about genetic variation
- Expertise in one or more of: Java, Python, Bash shell
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Prioritization and organization
The following would be advantageous:
- Issue tracking systems (JIRA, RT or other)
- UNIX / Linux environments
- Relational databases and SQL
- Version control systems (Git, Subversion or other)
The successful candidate must be capable of working both independently and within a closely interacting team, in an international academic environment. It will be required to communicate standard operation procedures (SOP) to the rest of the team, as well as taking part in the daily Scrum. An ability to work to tight deadlines is essential.
Benefits
EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme and health insurance, educational and other family related benefits where applicable, as well as financial support for relocation and installation.
We have an informal culture, international working environment and excellent professional development opportunities but one of the really amazing things about us is the concentration of technical and scientific expertise – something you probably won’t find anywhere else.
If you’ve ever visited the campus you’ll have experienced first-hand our friendly, collegial and supportive atmosphere, set in the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. Our staff also enjoy excellent sports facilities including a gym, a free shuttle bus, an on-site nursery, cafés and restaurant and a library.
Application Instructions
To apply please submit a covering letter and CV, with two referees, through our online system.
Additional Information
Applications are welcome from all nationalities - visa information will be discussed in more depth with applicants selected for interview.
EMBL-EBI is committed to achieving gender balance and strongly encourages applications from women, who are currently under-represented at all levels. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
The initial contract is for a period of three years with the possibility of a fixed-term extension.
Applications will close at 23:00 GMT on the date listed above.