Job Description

About the Team

The Database team at EMBL-EBI provides day-to-day database administration support, performance tuning and query optimisation for the production, development and test database environments operated by our end users (the bioinformatics, technical and research teams of EMBL-EBI). The large central database environment is deployed over an in-house IT infrastructure based on Linux and virtualisation, and incorporates multi-terabyte databases across geographically distributed data centres.

In this role you will join an established team of database administrators and engineers responsible for the support of EMBL-EBI’s ongoing database operations. The main database technologies you will be working with are MongoDB and MySQL where you will apply your existing level of expertise.

You will work striving to expand your expertise by providing specialised MongoDB and MySQL support for the EBI scientific applications. You will also work on a rotation system in place in our team to address end-user service requests and incidents across all supported Database technologies (PostgreSQL, Oracle, Delphix, MySQL, MongoDB, Microsoft SQL Server) where your responsibilities are to triage new tickets, to check the monitoring/alerting dashboards, to solve tickets yourself, and to escalate any tickets where/if this is required.

Duties & Responsibilities

In this role you will:

This is a technical hands-on role focusing primarily on MySQL and MongoDB. You will work managing the end-user service requests and incidents described earlier and this spans all database technologies supported by the Database Team. The candidate will work on tasks of varying complexity under the guidance of the technical leads and the line manager. You will progress by taking on increasingly complex tasks, working on larger scale database backend improvement and innovation projects, and customer-facing activities involving the end users (such as reviewing existing solutions and recommending new ones, and performing database migrations).

A typical day involves:

• checking the health of current deployments and raising any concerns, checking communication channels and responding to issues reported by end users;
• attending the daily stand up meeting to communicate your daily activities (projects/issues) and any blockers;
• conducting identified activities, monitoring the support ticketing system, being prepared to change priorities should any emergencies arise, updating or creating documentation as required;

You have (Requirements)

• A degree in Computer Science (or an equivalent discipline), or demonstrable experience and learning skills
• At least 5 years experience in a Database Administrator role with similar responsibilities
• MongoDB, MySQL proficiency
• Some experience with one or more among PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Delphix
• Solid hands-on skills and experience with SQL, Python, shell scripting
• Automation mindset
• Infrastructure as code experience (Preferrably puppet, but also Terraform, Ansible)
• Organisation, attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines

You might also have (Desirable)

• Cloud computing knowledge
• Containerisation knowledge
• Key/value expertise (Redis/Valkey)
• Experience of IT Service Management (ITSM)
• Understanding of project framework concepts
• Behaviours we look for in our team
• You enjoy working both independently and as part of a collaborative, international team. You can meet more of the team here
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage your own time and balance multiple tasks
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Willingness to learn, develop, and adapt in a fast-moving environment or demonstrable willingness to take on new challenges and expand your current skill set based on demand

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 contract renewable up to 9 years
• 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.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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