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Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

The Tree of Life project is generating genome assemblies for thousands of species. We need you to analyse and improve the resulting assemblies to generate the best possible outcome for use by the scientific community to support exciting science all around the globe.

You will be responsible for:

The improvement of automated genome assemblies through manual curation using bespoke software and tools. In addition, you will feedback lessons learned from the curation process to the teams generating assemblies, influencing software development and overall assembly strategy.

About You:

You will have a sound knowledge of genomics and sequence assembly, and possess a high level of problem-solving skills to further improve automated genome assemblies through manual curation using bespoke software and tools. In addition, you have excellent communication skills to feedback lessons learned from the curation process to those working in assembly generation, influencing software development and overall assembly strategy.

You have experience of working collaboratively with others in a professional environment. You are a strong team player and disseminate knowledge and novel insights effectively to ensure constant process improvements whilst retaining consistency within the team. You are organised with the ability to work flexibly to support a number of projects and changing priorities and deliver to agreed quality and timelines.

We have a strong publication record and culture of producing open data resources. This role requires an investigative mindset, with quick decision making and dedication to finalising tasks.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Advanced degree in a Biological or Computational discipline, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable knowledge of genomics, genome assembly and analysis
• Knowledge of the Unix computing environment, ability to modify files and run command line scripts

Essential Competencies and Behaviours:

• Excellent critical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to quickly adapt to new problems and ideas
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise a diverse range of work to meet deadlines
• A high level of communication skills to be able to document and convey complex information to groups with different levels of technical knowledge
• Attention to detail and the ability to work to meet timelines
• Ability to work in a team to exchange findings and ideas and to ensure consistency and highest quality

About Us:

The Tree of Life (ToL) Programme investigates the diversity of complex organisms through sequencing and cellular technologies to explore the evolution of eukaryotic life, provide the raw materials for new biotechnology and deliver tools and understanding for biodiversity conservation. ToL generates genome assemblies for several large Earth BioGenome project initiatives, like Darwin Tree of Life Project (DToL), Project Psyche and AEGIS in addition to other faculty research projects.

DToL is a major national initiative, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute , to provide high-quality ‘reference’ genome sequences for all eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland. The project includes a wide range of partners such as the National History Museum (NHM), Kew Gardens, The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, The Earlham Institute, Wytham Woods and the Marine Biological Association (MBA).

We operate a hybrid working pattern with the requirement of a minimum 3 days working onsite in this team.

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the essential skills set out above, why you want to apply to this role and what value/experience you can bring.

Informatician/ Data Scientist job family: Grade 2

Contract Type: 2 year contract

Recruitment Process: Shortlisting w/c 23rd February, Interviews w/c 2nd March or w/c 9th March

Closing date: 22nd February 2026

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. TheTechnician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake groundbreaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.

Computational Biologist for the Genome Reference Informatics Team

2026-02-22 23:59 (Europe/London)
2026-02-23 00:59 (CET)

We are a world-leading genomics research institute. Our work helps improve human health and understand life on Earth.