Senior Software Developer

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

We are seeking a Senior Software Developer to work with scientists, technicians, and other software developers, to support large-scale scientific projects at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

About the role:

You will be a Senior Software Developer within the Cellular Informatics Team.

Cellular Informatics’ Team support Cellular Operations’ laboratory and faculty teams. You will be working closely with the gene-editing lab. The lab uses CRISPR editing techniques to produce custom-made cells for scientific research.

Initially, the role will have two areas of focus:

• The Cellular Informatics team has designed and built a web application WGE to aid with the design of CRISPR experiments. This application is now over ten years old. A lot has changed in the world of bioinformatics and genomics in that time. We need to determine how we can best develop the app, so it is still valuable to current users. 

• The gene-editing lab is migrating away from our in-house software to a more off-the-shelf solution. However, not all the present functionality is available with the new software. We need to determine how we can extract the functionality from our present software, or else provide it in some other manner.

About you:

You should have a solid understanding of the full software management lifecycle, covering everything from planning and analysis to deployment and ongoing maintenance. 

Importantly, you are also someone who knows when not to write software. We’re looking for the best solutions to problems, and these aren’t always the ones that involve software. 

Prior experience working in a scientific environment is not necessary, but you should be someone who’s as interested in deepening your domain knowledge as much as your technical skills.

About us:

The Cellular Informatics team is part of a broader Pipeline Solutions unit, which consists of a broad group of software developers, bioinformaticians, and data scientists. 

We operate a hybrid working pattern with 2 days in the office and the rest working from home. Bioinformaticians can fulfil the majority of their roles working from home. We are very supportive in getting the equipment and access you will need to make the best of your career at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

We provide opportunities for you to professionally grow and develop through a generous dedicated training budget. We also provide space for you to explore your long-term opportunities through our trained coaches and mentors program.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Full-stack software development skills. Perl knowledge is a particular advantage

• Proven experience of relational databases, mapping out the schema for a database, and confident making queries that span multiple tables

• Proven experience of automation

Competencies and Behaviours:

• Ability to communicate effectively with interdisciplinary stakeholders

• Demonstrate a commitment to follow agreed design standards and principles.

• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to mentor junior members of the team

• Demonstrates inclusivity and respect for all

Other Information:

We welcome applications equally from those who wish to work full time (37 hours) or for a minimum of 30 hours per week via a flexible working arrangement.

We operate a hybrid working pattern with the requirement of a minimum 2 days working onsite.

Application Process:  

Please apply with your CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the technical skills set above.

The selection process will consist of an on-site interview involving a coding exercise with technical and non-technical questions.

If shortlisted and selected, you will be given the opportunity to get to know us better, by meeting the team or having an extended chat with a manager.

Salary range: £49,072 to £56,000 (dependant on skills and experience)

Contract Type: Permanent.

Closing Date: 25th Feb 2024.

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative oppor