Software Developer - Computational

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 looking for a highly motivated and experienced Computational Scientist to develop software tools in phylogenomic analyses using nanopore amplicon data.

Phylogenomic analysis provides an in-depth understanding of how species evolve through genetic changes. Identification and classification on genomic variations are vitally important to ensure the accuracy in constructing evolutionary trees. The data used will be nanopore noisy reads obtained from target sequencing, where coverage is with less evenness and some genomic regions are missing.  The use of targeting sequencing rather than whole genome data for phylogenomic analysis provides great challenges in both algorithm development and software implementation

About the role

You will be responsible for:

• Join the initiative of Ampliseq development for phylogenomic analyses using nanopore amplicon data.
• Lead the development of a software pipeline in phylogenomic analysis using new algorithms or machine learning methods.
• Make sure the software tools to meet the needs for current production and future applications.
• Assess the quality of the Ampliseq pipeline and provide feedback to aid the development of in-house research team.
• Perform de novo assemblies from different types of data to aid genome analysis.
• Document protocols and provide guidance as well as training, particularly to the users who do not have good experiences in bioinformatics.
• Publish peer-reviewed papers in journals and present work in national and international conferences.
• Explore new applications in Genome Informatics, including tests of new data types and software tools

About you

You will be a highly motivated and experienced computational scientist with excellent skills in C/C++ or Python programming. Experiences in AI/Machine Learning will be an advantage.

Essential Technical Skills:

• A PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a computational related area or related discipline
• Highly skilled in programming under Unix/Linux using C/C++ or Python
• Experiences in large scale scientific computation/simulation
• Numerical algorithm design

Competencies and Behaviours:

• Evidence of having successfully worked in a collaborative, project-focused software team valuing the expertise of your colleagues and encouraging a collaborative working environment, sharing, and listening to others’ ideas.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a friendly and collegiate environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with interdisciplinary stakeholders
• Demonstrates inclusivity and respect for all.
• Previous experience of and the ability to deliver a quality product within fixed deadlines.
• Highly developed analytical, problem solving and creative thinking skills with the ability to deliver value and overcome challenges in the face of uncertainty.

About us

In the High Performance Algorithm group, we develop algorithms and software tools for genome assembly and sequence analysis on various applications. Some of our bioinformatics packages are widely appreciated by the genomics community. In a project collaborating with the Bacterial Genomics and Evolution group, we are looking for outstanding computational scientists to join us working in this exciting area.

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the essential skills set out above, why you want to apply to this role and what value/experience you can bring. For further details, please contact Dr Zemin Ning via email at zn1@sanger.ac.uk.

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.

Salary range: £49,072 - £57,000 (dependant on skills and experience)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 22nd September 2024

Timelines: Shortlisting w/c 23rd Sept, Zoom Interviews w/c 30th Sept, Face to Face interviews with coding assessment w/c 14th Oct

Role Profile: Senior Software Developer grade 2

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/