Research Software Engineer - BioImaging Data Resources

Role overview and purpose

The role will work across the technical stack to support scaling and automation of deposition and presentation systems for high volumes of biological image data. You will extend and build on the EMBL-EBI’s imaging resources to enable better automation, integrate with high performance computing and storage resources and develop/implement new functionality. 

Primary responsibilities

• Design and implement systems to support rapid deposition, curation and archival of biological image data, including back-end, front-end and supporting infrastructure

• Develop systems for interactive online exploration of biological image data, working with existing tools, extending these, and developing new solutions as appropriate

• Act as liaison between the BioImage Archive/EMPIAR and EMBL-EBI's compute/storage infrastructure teams to deploy and manage these systems

• Coordinate with other service teams on shared development and process implementation

• Contribute to the broader team activities, including helpdesk support, planning, design review and improvement of the team's software development processes

You will have

• You should have a university degree in computer science, life sciences or a related discipline and have several years' experience in a software development capacity

• Substantial experience developing full stack applications

• Extensive hands-on experience with Javascript and Python

• Working with relational databases such as PostGres or MySQL

• Software development lifecycle, including design, implementation, testing, continuous integration, deployment and version control

• Working with Linux systems

Personal attributes

• A strong affinity with, and enthusiasm for, the goal of EMBL-EBI to provide world-class open data and services to the global community

• A strong desire to learn new skills and technologies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team

You might also have

• Experience designing data systems that operate at scale

• Experience working with BioImaging data from one or more modalities

• Experience with NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB

• Experience with batch scheduling systems such as SLURM

• Experience with containerisation (e.g. Docker) and container orchestration (e.g. Kubernetes)

• Infrastructure-as-code deployment tools such as Ansible or Terraform

Contract Length: 13-month, project-based, fixed-term contract

Salary: Grade 5.0 - Monthly salary starting at £3,303 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Plus, generous benefits.

Next steps:

This vacancy is open from Friday, 22nd May with a scheduled closing date of Sunday, 14th June 2026 and we welcome your application as soon as possible.

Please submit and up- to-date CV and supporting cover letter outlining your motivations for applying and highlighting relevant transferable skills and experiences.

*** We will review applications on a rolling basis and in the event that we identify a suitable candidate sooner, we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier that the published closing date ***

Why join us

Do something meaningful
At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.
 

Join a culture of innovation
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.  Watch this video to see how EMBL-EBI makes an impact.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns 

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant (if required)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

• Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here. 

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information.  

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date