View Vacancy -- Software Developer - MLC 1664

Open Date
01/09/2021, 15:00
Close Date
26/09/2021, 23:55
MRC Harwell Institute
 MRC Harwell Institute is an international biological research centre at the forefront of the use of mammalian models to study genetics and human diseases. Located on the Harwell Campus, just south of Oxford, it is nestled amongst a vibrant community of leading science organisations. We aim to advance medicine through cutting-edge research into the genetic basis of disease. Our research programmes span an entire lifetime, from embryonic development to diseases of ageing. There are over 300 staff at the Institute made up of research scientists, technicians, animal carers, and business support personnel.
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
Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
£32,005 - £35,143 per annum (depending on experience)
Permanent
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time

Overall purpose: 

We are seeking a software developer to join a new data management team based at MRC Harwell. This team focusses on data integrity, dissemination and analysis for the research programmes at MRC Harwell. These programmes are largely focussed on using mouse models for human diseases.  

This is an opportunity to demonstrate a range of technical skills, and develop solutions to issues surrounding data capture at the Mary Lyon Centre (MLC). The MLC uses and develops specialised phenotyping screening tests to investigate mammalian gene function and develop preclinical models for human genetic disorders. These specialised tests generate complex datasets with unique challenges to data management and analysis. These datasets can be stored and analysed using bespoke software pipelines, or are stored in a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) developed in-house. The MLC also plans to publish datasets via user-facing online portals which are currently in development. These solutions will require technical ingenuity as they are created and maintained.  

The data management team will work to ensure that data capture and analysis processes are robust, and that datasets meet quality criteria from capture to storage. The successful candidate will engage in the tasks below:

 Main duties / key responsibilities:

  • Work day-to-day within the data management team, discussing current technical issues, plans and solutions.
  • Provide first-line support and enhancements to existing in-house software tools, user-interface technologies and scientific data-processing pipelines. Examples of some tools used: MySQL, RMySQL, MariaDB, JDCBJava and Chameleon.
  • Design, implement and support new software solutions using various programming technologies and relational database tools. Support current in-house software solutions.
  • Contribute to data-capture solutions concerning developing phenotyping tests, writing software solutions to interact with contemporary device hardware and software.
  • Contribute to data-releases on a public-facing portal.
  • Contribute to automated data analysis and quality checking pipelines.
  • Contribute at all stages of the software development life cycle (requirement analysis, system design, implementation, testing, support).
  • Implement test-driven development and software-development best-practices
  • Contribute documentation, protocols and Github repositories.

Working relationships:

You will be part of the data management group and report to the data manager. The data manager will work to manage and prioritise the team’s work and contribute to a data management strategy across the MLC. The data management team works closely with the phenotyping team as they gather screening test data. The data management team will also work alongside the IT infrastructure teams, LIMS team, scientists and technicians. You may also work with external collaborators and industrial partners.

Equality & Diversity:

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equalities and diversity leadership and management.

Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements:

The job holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

  • Code of Conduct
  • Equality and Diversity policy
  • Health and Safety policy
  • Data Protection and Security policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between the post holder and their manager. 

The above lists are not exhaustive and the job holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

Additional information:

The Software Developer position is based at our office in Harwell. However, depending on candidate preference there is an option for an on-site/home working hybrid working pattern.

Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

  • Computer Science degree and/or demonstrable experience of software development.
  • Relational database design, development and maintenance.
  • High level of competency in Java and/or R, Python or any equivalent language.

Desirable:

  • Experience of relational database tools, in particular: MySQL, RMySQL, MariaDB and JDBC.
  • Object-oriented software development skills.
  • Experience of working within a collaborative multi-role development team.
  • Experience of interpreting stakeholder requirements and translating them into successful software solutions.
  • Experience in large-scale data analysis or working with big data.
  • Professional experience in software development across all stages of life cycle.

 Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

  • Flexible and adaptable team worker
  • Ability and willingness to learn new skills
  • Evidence of having developed and maintained effective working relationships

MRC Harwell specialises in mouse genetics research, from the earliest stages of development to diseases of ageing. The MLC is the National facility for mouse genetics providing resources to many HEIs and commercial collaborators and is the central hub for the MRC’s newly launched National Network for Mouse Genetics (https://mrc.ukri.org/research/initiatives/national-mouse-genetics-network/. We are also a key player in the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), a large-scale collaboration that aims to find a phenotype for every gene in the mouse genome. 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. 

The MLC’s activities are focused on applying mouse genetics, transgenesis and phenotypic screening to investigate mammalian gene function at a systems level.  We are working with new genome editing technologies which are allowing us to introduce genetic variants, especially those seen in human patients, as well as generating new mouse strains for preclinical and discovery research. We are also involved with the development and application of a number of new automated phenotyping tests including those involving video and auditory analysis.

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.