Software Engineer

New Today

The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking a talented and motivated

Software Engineer

to join our SearchBot project. This new initiative will pilot natural language query (NLQ) capabilities across EBI Search, which indexes more than 6.6 billion records from EMBL-EBIs world-leading life science resources. The project will also explore frameworks for integrating specialised search services, such as sequence and chemical searches, with modern AI agents using emerging standards like the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Your role You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying prototype services that enable natural language queries across EBI metadata and selected data type specific searches. You will: Implement MCP-based services to expose search endpoints to AI agents.

Develop a central NLQ entry point integrating metadata search and specialised search modalities.

Support multilingual search and text summarisation.

Work closely with the user community, organising workshops, surveys, and UX testing to capture evolving requirements in a rapidly changing technical environment.

Collaborate with EMBL-EBI technical teams and external partners to ensure interoperability, scalability, and sustainability of the developed services.

You have University degree in computer science, bioinformatics, or a related field.

Experience with emerging AI agent standards like MCP.

Strong experience in software development (Python, Java, or similar) and working with search technologies (e.g. Lucene/SOLR, Elasticsearch).

Familiarity with natural language processing, large language models, or conversational AI frameworks.

Proven ability to engage with scientific communities and translate user requirements into technical solutions.

Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.

You may also have Knowledge of biological data resources and their use in research.

Experience with user experience testing and workshop facilitation.

Apply now! Benefits and Contract Information Financial incentives:

depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278 monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non resident allowance up to £569

per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

Hybrid working arrangements

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 to eight bank holidays

Relocation package

including installation grant (as applicable)

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, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

Contract duration:

This position is a 3 year project based contract

Salary:

Monthly salary starting at

£3,303 or £3,695

after tax (but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits (Total package will be dependent on family circumstances)

International applicants:

We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.

Diversity and inclusion:

At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.

Job location:

This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.

To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on

17/05/2026

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Location:
Gb
Job Type:
FullTime
Category:
IT

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