View Vacancy -- Software Developer x 3 MGU 365

Open Date
04/11/2016, 09:00
Close Date
12/12/2016, 23:55
MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit

MRC Harwell is at the international forefront of the use of mouse genetics to study the relationship between genes and disease. The models we create and study are used to understand the disease processes that occur when a gene goes wrong.

Most human diseases have a significant genetic component - changes in the DNA of our genes contribute to the development of the disease. This is true for example for birth defects, diseases of childhood and chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke, respiratory and psychiatric conditions that affect people of all ages, nationalities and classes. Diseases of ageing such as Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases are also a significant genetic burden on the human population.


UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

MRC - 4
Didcot, Oxfordshire
£27,355 - £32,648
Bioinformatics £6,500
Fixed Term
Science
Full Time
until July 2020

Overall purpose:

We are seeking three highly motivated and enthusiastic Software Developers to join the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium’s (IMPC) Data Coordination Centre (DCC). The IMPC DCC supports the informatics infrastructure pipeline that captures the data from each of the 10 contributing centres, supports the quality control and ensures the data is analysed and disseminated on the IMPC web portal (www.mousephenotype.org). This is an excellent opportunity to join a large group of developers, data wranglers and bioinformatics researchers while working in an academic environment.

 

The goal of the IMPC is to discover functional insight for every gene by generating and systematically phenotyping 20,000 knockout mouse strains. One of the most important tools at our scientific disposal in understanding mammalian gene function is the laboratory mouse. The fundamental genetic similarity between mice and humans allows researchers to infer a human gene's function based on studies with laboratory mice. One powerful technique is to turn off, or "knockout", the activity of a mouse gene to assess what biological systems are impacted. This gives insights how a similar gene in humans may contribute to disease when its activity is altered.

 

The successful candidates will work closely with the experienced members of the BioComputing team, but will be expected to bring experience and knowledge of cutting edge technologies to the team. The team employs Agile/Scrum project management and familiarity with this would be advantageous.

 

The ideal candidates will have:

Essential:

  • Computer science and/or software development training and background up to BSc/MSc level or significant relevant experience.
  • Experience in developing web platforms and web application programming.
  • Experience interpreting requirements and translating them into software solutions
  • Experience programming in a modern object orientated language such as Java or Python.
  • Proven expertise in web application programming techniques and technologies, particularly Java based applications running in Tomcat.
  • Agile/Scrum project management.
  • Excellent database programming skills, including evidence of software development which integrates data from heterogeneous database management system (DBMS) storage systems.
  • Practical experience in loading and querying data using structured query language (SQL) syntax.

 

Desirable:

  • Knowledge or experience of biological sciences and/or bioinformatics would be beneficial.
  • A background in a mathematical, scientific or engineering field
  • Some exposure to scientific software development, preferably in the bioinformatics area.
  • Experience working in collaborative environments.
  • Experience using version control and build systems such as Git, jenkins and maven.
  • Familiarity with Java, Javascript, CSS, HTML, SOAP/RESTful web-services, Python and Drupal.
  • Experience with Bioinformatics datasets, resources and tool development.
  • Use of Unix/Linux systems.

 

Main duties / key responsibilities:

  • Design, development and support of robust production-level software, web portals and infrastructure that meet the requirements of stake-holders in supporting the missions of MRC Harwell.
  • Liaise with end users (basic scientists, clinicians and bioinformaticians) about their requirements.
  • Participate in all aspects of the software development life cycle.
  • Support collaborative development in a scrum team, including code-peer-reviewing and team process improvement.
  • Developing analytical skills to identify and resolve coding, development and/or process issues.
  • Proactively improve the team’s development processes.
  • Take ownership of products, ensuring that they meet requirement and quality standards.
  • Actively collaborate with colleagues to disseminate knowledge and increase resilience as a team.

 

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential:

  • Computer science and/or software development training and background up to BSc/MSc level or significant relevant experience.

 

Desirable:

  • Knowledge or experience of biological sciences and/or bioinformatics would be beneficial.
  • A background in a mathematical, scientific or engineering field.

 

Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

  • Experience in developing web platforms and web application programming.
  • Experience interpreting requirements and translating them into software solutions.

 

Desirable:

  • Some exposure to scientific software development, preferably in the bioinformatics area.

 

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

 

Essential:

  • Experience programming in a modern object orientated language such as Java or Python.
  • Proven expertise in web application programming techniques and technologies, particularly Java based applications running in Tomcat.
  • Agile/Scrum project managnent
  • Excellent database programming skills, including  evidence of software development which integrates data from heterogeneous database management system (DBMS) storage systems.
  • Practical experience in loading and querying data using structured query language (SQL) syntax.

 

Desirable:

  • Experience working in collaborative environments.
  • Experience using version control and build systems such as Git, jenkins and maven.
  • Familiarity with Java, Javascript, CSS, HTML,   SOAP/RESTful web-services, Python and Drupal.
  • Experience with Bioinformatics datasets, resources   and tool development.
  • Use of Unix/Linux systems.

 

Working relationships

You will be part of the BioComputing Team.

 

MRC Harwell Institute specialises in mouse genetics research, from the earliest stages of development to diseases of ageing. We are very keen to push our research towards translational studies in humans, and collaborate with clinical and medical professionals for many of our research programmes.

 

Our large-scale functional genomics projects generate vast amounts of data. These massive datasets need to be integrated, analysed and compared in order to make sense of our findings and present them in a form that can be used by both our own research groups and the wider scientific community. This effort is led by Data Wranglers in the BioComputing group, who work with the researchers and members of the Statistical Genomics group, to ensure that all findings displayed are statistically significant, standardised and quality checked. Software developers within the BioComputing group work closely with those collecting the data to constantly improve and update our systems for data collection, analysis and dissemination.

 

The BioComputing group also performs research on the analysis of NGS and transcriptomics data and 3D systems imaging.

 

More information about MRC Harwell can be found at http://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/

 

Informal expressions of interest in this post can be sent to Dr Ann-Marie Mallon (a.mallon@har.mrc.ac.uk)

 

Other benefits also include a flexible pay and reward policy, excellent holiday entitlement, MRC final salary pension scheme.

 

The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

This opportunity is closed to applications.