Data Engineer - Cosmic

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 to recruit a passionate Data Engineeron a Permanent basis to join the COSMIC team at Wellcome Sanger Institute. To help us develop the solutions for the world’s key cancer genomics resource, in COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations of Cancer).

We invite individuals with backgrounds in computer science or bioinformatics to join us in this exciting opportunity to contribute to the field of cancer genomics. You will be helping us with exciting projects, implement tools and processes in the cloud environment, to support the world’s key cancer genomics resource, COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations of Cancer) http://cancer.sanger.ac.uk/cosmic

About the Role:
This role is due to the evolution and expansion of our massive biological datasets and products to enable this growth. We make a real difference to scientific research and to cancer patients around the world.

Data is currently gathered from a variety of sources, from manual curation to structured repositories, and standardised into the COSMIC database before release via our analytic website. This genetic and genomic data is increasing in quantity and scope, its value is enhanced by analytic highlights, and this position will improve the handling, annotation, meaningful presentation and user access of this information.

More specifically in this role, we provide excellent opportunities to apply best practices in software development, writing clean code, and taking a test-driven development approach. More about COSMIC: COSMIC: a curated database of somatic variants and clinical data for cancer - PMC     

About Us:

COSMIC is the key information source in global human cancer research and is growing rapidly in content, scope, and value. We exist to speed up the field of precision oncology so that every cancer journey can be tailored, accurate, and precise. We do this by streamlining and simplifying genomics data analysis for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment research.

About You:

You will support the development of new automated pipelines and workflows for data curation and release of COSMIC products. Participate in developing solutions for the storage and production pipeline of vast genomic data in the cloud environment.

You do not need to have any biological background but must show enthusiasm to learn different genomic datasets in cancer genomics.  You will be helping us to maintain and support the automatic pipelines and workflows on cloud platforms.

You must be a good communicator and able to understand the goals and aims of the collaborative COSMIC team and its customers of researchers, scientists and clinicians, globally. You will have experience in developing software and analytical tools across large datasets, ensuring throughput and quality.

You will contribute in bringing new perspectives on options for storage, pipelining and visualisation. You will possess a degree in Computer Science or Bioinformatics, and demonstrate expertise in a modern programming language such as Python and (Postgres/Oracle) SQL, within a Unix/Linux environment.

This position would be well-suited for someone with experience in software development. You will join a multidisciplinary, committed and supportive team with the opportunity to work in conjunction with software developers, bioinformaticians, curators and scientists as well as colleagues and collaborators both in the Cancer Ageing and Somatic Mutation Research Programme and externally.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Software development or Computer Science
• Good experience in at least one modern programming language, preferably Python or PERL
• Experience in one or more scripting languages
• Expertise across large and complex relational databases,  proficient in SQL
• An understanding of FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) data
• Experience in Data handling skills
• Experience or willingness to learn how to create/maintain data processing pipelines

Essential Competencies and Behaviours:

• A demonstrable, enthusiastic, can-do, learn, proactive attitude
• Enthusiasm, commitment and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise activities and manage the own workload independently
• Ability to explain technical issues effectively and understandably to non-technical users
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to quickly understand scientific and technical challenges

Other Information:

We operate a hybrid working pattern with the requirement of a minimum 2 - 3 days working onsite.

Application Process:  

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the technical skills set out above, why you want to apply to this role and what value/experience you can bring, addressing the essential technical skills.

Salary per annum: £37,470 to £43,000

Software Developer job family: Grade 3 Role profile

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 8th June 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 opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members. 

For more information about our immigration service visit: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers/global-mobility-and-immigration-service/