Genomic Data Analyst Project Lead

European Molecular Biology Laboratory; Saffron Walden; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biosciences organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to lead its genomic data analysis team. You will manage a skilled group, ensuring gene annotation meets high standards and leveraging innovative technologies. With a PhD in genome science or a related field, your leadership capabilities and expertise in biological data analysis will be critical to advancing the organization’s objectives. This position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Generous vacation policy

Financial incentives

Private medical insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Relocation package

Access to on-campus amenities

Qualifications

• PhD in genome science, molecular biology, genetics, or related discipline.
• Experience leading projects, teams, or large-scale collaborations.
• Confident use of genome browsers and Linux/Unix.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of genomic data analysts.
• Produce and oversee manual gene and transcript annotation.
• Identify opportunities to advance gene annotation using new insights and technologies.

Skills

Genome annotation

Molecular biology

Data analysis skills

Scripting

Leadership capability

Education

PhD in genome science, molecular biology, or related discipline

Tools

Linux/Unix

Genome browsers (Ensembl, UCSC, NCBI)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of genomic data analysts, ensuring gene annotation meets the extremely high standards of the GENCODE project.
• Produce and oversee manual gene and transcript annotation, contributing directly to reference‑quality datasets.
• Identify opportunities to advance gene annotation using new biological insights, technologies, and emerging data types.
• Design and deliver projects that integrate novel datasets into annotation workflows, working closely with bioinformatics developers.
• Improve existing annotation pipelines and tools by identifying gaps, liaising with stakeholders, and driving solutions.
• Collaborate across Ensembl to ensure effective presentation and dissemination of gene annotation.
• Represent the group internally and externally, including at international conferences and with external collaborators.
• Contribute to data analysis for publications, support experimental design, and influence downstream research.
• Write reports, documentation and peer‑reviewed publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in genome science, molecular biology, genetics, or a related discipline.
• Deep expertise in one or more of:
• Genome annotation
• Genome biology
• Molecular biology
• Comparative genomics
• Experience leading projects, teams, or large‑scale collaborations.
• Confident use of genome browsers (Ensembl, UCSC, NCBI).
• Linux/Unix command‑line experience.
• Scripting and data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and resources.
• Experience working with genomic and/or omics datasets.
• Transcriptomic sequencing and alignment methods.
• Experimental omics data generation.
• Computational analysis of omics data.
• Comparative genomics and evolutionary constraint.

About the Candidate

You are a highly motivated scientist with strong curiosity, initiative, and leadership capability. You are equally comfortable engaging with research literature, analysing genomic data, and guiding teams and collaborations.

Candidate Profile

You will possess strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex biological and computational concepts clearly. You are a self‑starter able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and you work effectively in multidisciplinary, international teams.

Preferred (Desirable)

• Direct experience annotating gene structure and function from omics data.
• Expertise integrating diverse datasets to improve gene annotation.
• Experience in collaborative omics research projects.
• A publication and presentation track record.
• Familiarity with large‑scale genome or pangenome initiatives.
• Knowledge of non‑canonical translation (e.g. Ribo‑seq, immunopeptidomics).
• Understanding of non‑coding RNA biology and associated analysis methods.

GENCODE is a global core biodata resource and part of Ensembl, a world‑leading provider of genomics data resources and bioinformatics software. Since 2003, GENCODE has delivered foundational reference genome annotation for the human and mouse genomes, supporting users worldwide – from major international consortia to individual researchers and clinicians.

Diversity & Inclusion

At EMBL‑EBI we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities, and other diverse backgrounds.

Hybrid Working

We are pleased to offer hybrid working options for all our employees. A dedicated desk will be available everyday, our team works three days on site and two from home.

Interviews: We plan to hold introductory meetings with selected candidates remotely. Contract length: 3 years (grant‑based). Salary: Grade 7 monthly salary starting at £4,206 per month after tax, excluding pension and insurance contributions, plus other generous benefits.

Why Join Us

At EMBL‑EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.

Benefits

• Financial incentives: monthly family, child and non‑resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long‑term care, accident‑at‑work and unemployment insurances.
• Flexible working arrangements – including hybrid working patterns.
• 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, plus public holidays.
• Relocation 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 allowances.
• Benefits 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.