Protein Function Development Team Leader

TL;DR

Protein Function Development Team Leader (Bioinformatics/Software): Lead a multidisciplinary team producing and delivering protein data at scale, including designing and maintaining data stores, production workflows, and UniProt website/dissemination technologies (APIs and advanced data visualisations) with an accent on scalable architectures, migration to modern infrastructures, and AI-first development. Focus on integrating AI-based tools into annotation and user experience while balancing innovation with reliable delivery of core priorities for a globally used life-sciences resource.

Location: Hinxton, Cambridgeshire

Salary: £5,982 per month (after tax), plus generous benefits

Company

hirify.global-EBI (part of hirify.global) provides large biological datasets storage, analysis, and dissemination through resources such as UniProt.

What you will do

• Lead a multidisciplinary team (~17 staff) delivering protein data at scale across software engineering, data science, bioinformatics, and UX.
• Design and maintain scalable databases, services, and production workflows for protein annotation and representation.
• Develop and sustain UniProt dissemination technologies, including APIs and advanced data visualisations.
• Coordinate development of new interfaces and analytical tools, and oversee maintenance and migration of existing codebases to modern technologies and infrastructures.
• Drive strategic foresight: evaluate emerging technical advances and balance innovation with continued delivery of core priorities.
• Lead a cultural and technical shift towards AI-first development using AI coding assistants and generative tools to accelerate delivery, improve code quality, and reduce technical debt.

Requirements

• PhD (preferred) in bioinformatics, computer science, or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience delivering high-quality results in scientific data management, software development, or bioinformatics within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience designing, developing, and maintaining scalable databases, services, and websites capable of processing data at terabyte scale.
• Strong software engineering knowledge and deployment infrastructure experience, including commercial cloud platforms and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Demonstrated production experience using AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor).
• Experience in project management and staff management, including mentoring and developing team members.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of computational methods for protein function prediction.
• Experience with budget management and financial planning.
• Record of leading and delivering high-impact scientific projects.
• Established profile in the international community in an area related to protein data or bioinformatics.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid working patterns.
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family.
• 30 days annual leave per year plus public holidays.
• Relocation package including installation grant (if required).
• Campus benefits: free shuttle bus, on-site library, subsidised gym and cafeteria, and sports/social clubs.
• Benefits for non-UK residents, including visa exemption and travel/education support.

Hiring process

• Interviews likely to take place in person at the campus in Hinxton on Wednesday 19th August 2026.
• Submit a cover letter and CV through the online system; applications close at 23:59 CET on 15/07/2026.