Your role
MGnify is EMBL-EBI’s microbiome sequence data analysis resource, which performs the archiving, assembly and analysis of amplicon, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data. Alongside the large-scale analysis of existing public microbiome datasets in ENA, we are participants in several projects investigating various aspects of microbiome sciences.

There are currently 3 posts available, each linked to a specific area:

Bioinformatician - AEGIS (Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability)

  • 2 years fixed term contract
  • The AEGIS project is exploring ways to use ancient environmental DNA (aeDNA) to develop climate-resilient crops and farming systems.


Bioinformatician - Genomes/Proteomes

  • 2 years fixed term contract
  • This Wellcome-funded project aims to harmonise the representation of reference genomes and proteomes across MGnify, Ensembl, and UniProt.


Marine Science Bioinformatician

  • 1-year fixed term contract
  • We are participants in multiple marine science projects (including BioOcean5D, BlueRemediomics, DTO-BioFlow and BlueCloud) using microbiome- and metagenomic-focussed approaches to understand and capitalise on marine microbiome data.


The aims of these projects require large-scale data analysis, development of new pipelines as well as expanded functionality of existing pipelines, and increased automation and scalability to accommodate new data products, tools, and applications. The successful candidates will contribute their expertise to the development of MGnify pipelines to directly support these aims. We are committed to the principles of open science and FAIR data, and all MGnify pipelines are formally described using Nextflow, with the component tools containerised for ease of third-party use.

We are looking for enthusiastic, adaptable bioinformaticians who are excited to join these various ambitious projects, and help drive microbiome science through the provision of robust, easily accessible, FAIR data. Please indicate in your application which of the 3 areas you are most interested in or have most experience in, or indicate an order of preference.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Analysis and assembly of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data produced within the projects and related public datasets
  • Using genome-resolved methods to produce and update genome catalogues for prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses
  • Using a range of methods and tools to conduct specific analyses on the MGnify platform such as homology searches, genomic context, protein structure analysis
  • Evaluate existing and new tools and methods in the field
  • Optimising pipelines
  • Respond to user and project consortia queries  
  • Attend regular project meetings as required, to enable consistent and clear communication to and from the microbiome informatics team
  • Interact with teams at EMBL-EBI, to allow appropriate data to be extracted from their resources (e.g., API) and/or submitted to relevant resources.


You will have

  • Masters level or equivalent qualification/experience in computational, biological or related scientific discipline
  • Experience running analysis pipelines and contributing to their development as part of a team effort
  • Experience using Git and the collaborative platform Github
  • Experience running and maintaining bioinformatics pipelines
  • Strong scripting skills in Python
  • Unix/Linux sills
  • Good communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work to deadlines and solve problems when they arise.


You may also have

  • Experience in the use of compute cluster job schedulers (e.g. LSF, Slurm)
  • Experience deploying pipelines in a distributed environment, ideally using a commercial cloud platform
  • Experience of software development in a production environment
  • Experience of developing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data products and code
  • Experience in delivering training and/or public engagement
  • Workflow language skills (e.g. Nextflow or SnakeMake)
  • Relational database skills including querying, basic schema design and optimization (e.g. MySQL, PostgreSQL)
  • Knowledge of genomics and/or metagenomics analysis and tools.


Contract lengths:
Position 1: Bioinformatician - AEGIS - 2 years, project-based fixed term contract
Position 2: Bioinformatician - Genomes/Proteomes - 2 years, project-based fixed term contract
Position 3: Marine Science Bioinformatician - 1 year, project-based fixed term contract

Salary: Grade 5 or 6 - Monthly salary starting at £3,303.40 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Plus generous benefits.

Next Steps: These vacancies will be advertised from Wednesday, 28th January 2026. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 18th February 2026.
 
Please note: If a suitable candidate is identified prior to the advertised closing date, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early, but not before Wednesday, 11th February 2026.
 
Application Guidance: In your cover letter, please specify the position you are applying for, explain your motivation for applying, and highlight your relevant transferable skills.
 
Interviews: Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted virtually on 24th, 25th and 26th February 2026.

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

18/02/2026


 

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.