Role Summary / ContextWe are seeking a skilled bioinformatician who is enthusiastic about developing and maintaining high-quality genome resources for microbial research communities to join the Ensembl Microbes team.As part of the Ensembl project, Ensembl Microbes provides access to bacterial, archaeal, fungal and protist genomes and their annotations to research communities worldwide.We collaborate closely with bioinformaticians, software engineers and project leaders across Ensembl to manage data flows, increase the representation of microbial genomes, develop new features and annotations, and ensure reliable data delivery.Ensembl Microbes is also part of EMBL-EBI’s Microbiome Informatics team, which develops the MGnify resource and AMR Portal, providing opportunities for collaboration on shared datasets and methods.We are also active partners in international collaborations to support the annotation and dissemination of microbial genomes.The Microbiome Informatics team is led by Rob Finn, who also oversees the Ensembl resource. You will report directly to Tatiana Gurbich, the Microbial Genomes Project Lead.Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesMaintain the microbial genomes in Ensembl, including identifying and loading new genome annotations, ensuring data is presented correctly, and diagnosing and resolving issues promptlyCoordinate releases within a release-based environment, working closely with other Ensembl subteamsIdentify and assess new genome annotation tools, especially those that are specific to microbial taxa, to provide specific annotations that go beyond the default annotations provided by EnsemblContribute to the development of our functional annotation pipelines and help shape representation of microbial functional annotations in EnsemblDesign, build and test technical solutions to make processes more efficientCreate and maintain clear, up to date documentationContribute to code reviews and team meetingsInteract with other groups at EMBL-EBI and external collaborators, data generators and user communities, representing the team's workPerson SpecificationEssentialA Master’s degree in bioinformatics, biology, computer science or related field, or equivalent experienceKnowledge of prokaryotic and/or microbial eukaryotic biologyStrong Python skills, with demonstrable ability to write production-quality codeExperience building computational pipelines with Nextflow, Snakemake or similarExperience with relational databases (e.g. MySQL, PostgreSQL), UNIX/Linux,



and HPC or cloud environmentsExperience applying genome analysis/annotation tools and working with common bioinformatics formats (e.g. FASTA, GFF3)Experience with software development best practices, including version control (e.g. Git), testing and code reviewFamiliarity with AI-assisted coding tools, and an understanding of how to critically evaluate, validate, and improve their outputsExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writingStrong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, reproducible workAbility to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, prioritise tasks, and take ownership of projects from development through to deliveryDesirableHands-on experience with the Ensembl platform or other genome browserExperience working in a multi-person team delivering production servicesExperience with large-scale biological datasetsExperience working with the Apache Parquet file formatExperience implementing AI/ML approaches for quality control and/or genome annotationBehaviours we value in our teamYou bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a focus on impact to your work. You enjoy turning ideas into well-executed solutions, are able to manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with colleagues across multidisciplinary and international teams.Other helpful informationContract length: 3 yearsSalary: Grade 5, monthly salary from £3,452.05 after tax, plus generous financial benefits based on family circumstances. Excl. personal pension and insurance contributions.Hybrid Working: At EMBL-EBI we are pleased to offer hybrid working options for all our employees. A dedicated desk will be available everyday, our team works a minimum of two days on site (Tuesday and Thursday).Interviews: We anticipate that panel interviews for this post will take place in the week commencing October 19th, 2026, remotely.Why join usDo something meaningfulAt EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI,



part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the general research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.Join a culture of innovationWe are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential. Watch this video to see how EMBL-EBI makes an impact.Enjoy lots of benefitsFinancial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurancesFlexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patternsPrivate 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 public holidaysRelocation package including installation grant (if required)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, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowancesBenefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.What else you need to knowInternational applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information.EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.Closing Date20/09/2026
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📌 Bioinformatician (Barcelona)
🏢 European Molecular Biology Laboratory
📍 Barcelona