UX Designer / Researcher

Help shape the future of how millions of researchers discover and interact with biomedical literature - and play a key role in bringing AI-powered search to one of the world's most-used open science platforms.

About the role

Europe PMC is a free, open-access database of over 40 million research articles, abstracts, and preprints, used by researchers, systematic reviewers, and developers worldwide. We're at a pivotal moment: building natural language search powered by AI, and leading a major MRC-funded programme (GRIST) to give researchers, funders, and government a transparent view of UK life sciences funding.

We're looking for a UX Designer/Researcher to own research and design across both initiatives - from discovery through to shipped product. You'll work closely with a Senior Product Manager, engineers, and ML researchers, and engage directly with senior stakeholders.

What you'll do

• Lead user research across diverse audiences - researchers, funders, grant administrators - and turn findings into clear, actionable recommendations

• Plan and lead workshops with senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Design for AI-powered features, including natural language search - communicating model outputs and limitations in ways that build user trust, especially for audiences who need transparency and reproducibility

• Translate research into wireframes, prototypes, and interaction designs for complex, data-heavy products

• Lead usability testing programmes and use data to validate design decisions

What we're looking for

• Strong research and synthesis skills, and confidence presenting to non-design audiences

• Proficiency in Figma or other design tools. 

• Experience with data-heavy products (dashboards, search tools, structured data)

• Experience or strong interest in designing for AI-powered features - communicating outputs and limitations in a way that builds user trust, particularly for audiences who require transparency and reproducibility

• Comfortable working embedded in cross-functional teams alongside ML/data engineers

• Experience engaging senior or external stakeholders

• Actively developing AI literacy in your own practice - for example using AI tools for research synthesis, prototyping, or usability analysis - and following developments in AI UX as a field

• Familiarity with web analytics, basic HTML/CSS, remote testing tools

Why Europe PMC

Work on a product used by millions, with real impact on open science. Based on the Wellcome Genome Campus - gym, nursery, free shuttle bus, restaurant, library, set in the Cambridgeshire countryside. Competitive salary, pension, health insurance, relocation support.

Contract length: Project-based, initial 3-year fixed-term Staff Member contract with potential for extension, subject to grant funding.

Salary: Grade 6 - Monthly salary starting at £3,861.91 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Plus, generous benefits.

Next steps: This vacancy has a scheduled closing date of Tuesday, 4th August, and we welcome your application as soon as possible.

Please submit and up- to-date CV and supporting cover letter outlining your transferable skills and experience and motivation for applying.

*** We will review applications on a rolling basis and so encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. In the event that we identify a suitable candidate sooner, we may close this vacancy earlier than 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