Overview
Lead the software development team responsible for the Pfam and InterPro databases, two of the world’s most widely used protein family and domain annotation resources. Report to the Head of the Protein Families Group at EMBL‑EBI and drive a cultural and technical shift toward AI‑first development.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the Pfam/InterPro software development team, managing workload, priorities, and professional development.
- Drive the transition to AI‑first software development practices, embedding AI coding tools such as Claude Code and GitHub Copilot into production workflows.
- Own software architecture and design decisions across the Pfam and InterPro platforms, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and performance.
- Design and maintain relational and NoSQL database schemas supporting large‑scale protein family and domain annotation data.
- Lead agile development cycles including sprint planning, code review, CI/CD pipeline management, and release coordination.
- Oversee containerised deployment infrastructure using Kubernetes and cloud‑native services.
- Collaborate with bioinformaticians, data scientists, and external stakeholders to translate scientific requirements into robust software solutions.
- Champion software engineering best practices: documentation, testing, version control, and security.
- Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, including AI/ML tools, to improve developer productivity and system capabilities.
- Contribute to grant applications, publications, and presentations relating to software infrastructure where appropriate.
Qualifications
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Substantial experience in software design and architecture, including production‑grade systems.
- Demonstrated experience using AI coding tools (Claude Code, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor) in a production environment.
- Strong Python programming skills and experience building and maintaining production services.
- Proven expertise in database design, including relational (MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL systems.
- Experience leading or mentoring a software development team.
- Familiarity with modern DevOps practices: CI/CD, containerisation (Docker), and version control (Git).
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, international environment.
Contract Length and Salary
Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years. Salary: Grade7 monthly salary starting at £4206 per month after tax, excluding pension and insurance contributions.
Benefits
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; private medical insurance for you and your immediate family; generous time off: 30 days annual leave plus public holidays; relocation package; campus life: free shuttle bus, on‑site library, subsidised gym and cafeteria, casual dress code; family benefits; 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.
Other Information
The position is open to international applicants; successful candidates will be offered visa exemptions. Applications close on 05/07/2026.
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