Full-Time Bioimaging Bioinformatician
Job Description
About the Team
The revolution in imaging technologies has led to the need to share, integrate and reuse image data in a comprehensive way. EMBL-EBI’s imaging databases, EMPIAR and the BioImage Archive provide the means to store and search life science datasets from all imaging technologies at all scales and across all modalities.
These databases provide deposition and retrieval services to life scientists across the world. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated imaging bioinformatician who can work with researchers, imaging scientists, software developers and the wider BioImaging community to further develop these resources, with a focus on worldwide sharing of bioimaging data.
You will be working to support our resources’ operational and data management development activities. You’ll support depositors to the BioImage Archive and EMPIAR, providing expertise, guidance and targeted curation. You’ll work with data generators, data consumers and networking organisations on data and metadata standards, both working with schema and tools directly and relaying needs and priorities to the core software development team. Using AI approaches to improve our operational activities will be a key part of the role.
As the BioImage Archive is a developing project, you will be able to shape its development, community and overall success. You’ll need to be keen to learn new approaches and technologies, work with a diverse global biological imaging community and engage with new imaging science.
The post provides a fantastic opportunity to work with a talented team to grow a key new resource at one of the world leading institutes for managing biological data.
In this role you will:
- Support data deposition and import of data into the BioImage Archive and EMPIAR, providing expert advice to depositors, and developing data pipelines for complex submissions.
- Work with the bioimaging community on standards, processes and tools for managing biological images, including programmatic implementation in schema languages
- Curate and standardise data and metadata across different scientific domains to address the needs of diverse bioimaging communities.
- Work with software developers within the BioImage Archive, EMPIAR and the wider EMBL-EBI teams to guide development priorities and test new features.
- Create documentation and training materials to support users of the BioImage Archive.
You have (Requirements)
You should have a first degree in Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science or a related discipline, and a relevant higher degree such as a MSc. A PhD or equivalent work experience is preferred.
Skills and experience
- Good understanding of data collection, handling, visualisation, interpretation, archiving, dissemination etc. for at least one common imaging modality (e.g. light or electron microscopy).
- Experience developing scripts and tools for data transformation and processing (e.g. in Python, Julia or similar languages).
- Experience working with common data exchange formats, particularly JSON.
- Demonstrated knowledge of research imaging techniques broadly.
- Familiarity with data standards and ontologies, and experience with schema languages such as LinkML
Behaviours
- Curiosity about science and bioimaging.
- A strong desire to learn new skills and technologies.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines.
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
You might also have (Desirable)
- Post-doctoral experience in a life sciences research lab or bioimaging facility, either as a data producer or as a collaborator with data producers on microscopy data management and/or image processing.
- Specific experience working with cross-modality biological data with an imaging component, e.g. spatial transcriptomics or spatial proteomics
- Experience with the management of research data, including understanding of and adherence to appropriate metadata standards.
- Experience with bioimage analysis tools and techniques.
- Experience working with semantic technologies including ontologies, data curation and JSON schema based data validation.
- Experience developing training materials and/or running training courses.
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 2 year project based contract
- Salary: Monthly salary starting at £3,303 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.