Front-End Web Developer

We are looking for an exceptional Web Developer to join Open Targets at EMBL-EBI. 
 
Join Open Targets at EMBL-EBI as a Web Developer and help transform vast biomedical data into insights that drive safer, more effective medicines. You’ll design and build cloud-first, open-source applications - including our flagship Open Targets Platform, used by scientists worldwide to explore and prioritise potential drug targets. Working with leading partners like MSD, Genentech, GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, you’ll develop intuitive front-end experiences that turn complex data into powerful discovery tools.

What we do
At Open Targets, our open-source Platform empowers researchers worldwide to prioritise drug targets and accelerate discovery. Built with React, it offers powerful search tools, interactive visualisations, and seamless access to harmonised biomedical data via GraphQL APIs. Deployed on Google Cloud and customised by partners, the platform evolves quarterly through close collaboration with industry and academia to address unmet clinical needs and maximise global impact.
  
We drive innovation in drug discovery by developing tools like “Associations on the Fly” (AOTF) for exploring target-disease links, advancing our web architecture with ground-breaking technologies, and rebuilding the Open Targets Platform with a modern GraphQL API and React interface.
 
Some of the high-impact, large-scale challenges we have tackled include:

• Developing and publishing "Associations on the Fly" (AOTF), a cutting-edge tool published in Oxford Bioinformatics that enables dynamic exploration of target-disease associations

• Next steps in our web applications' architecture - Blog post

• Redesigning and rewriting the entire technical infrastructure for the Open Targets Platform, including a new GraphQL API, React-based web interface and application

 
Check out the ot-ui-apps code base, our blog to learn more about our recent work and what it is like to join our team. And stop by the Open Targets Community to see first-hand how our data and tools are used to help researchers unlock insights to solve some of the most complex biological questions. Our software is all open source and available freely.

Your role 

• Be part of a vibrant, diverse team where collaboration thrives - working alongside talented professionals from around the globe, each bringing unique skills and perspectives.

• What you’ll do

• Join us to create tools that accelerate drug discovery worldwide:

• Build & launch powerful, user-friendly web apps used by scientists across the globe

• Visualise complex data through interactive, reusable data components and graph-based insights

• Shape user experiences by collaborating with UX experts to make scientific workflows seamless

• Innovate constantly with cutting-edge tools like AOTF and explore new ways to interact with data

• Champion open science by contributing to open-source projects and working with global collaborators

• Tackle big data challenges ensuring our front-end can handle growing scientific datasets

• Collaborate across disciplines with data scientists, engineers, and product designers to deliver real impact

You have 

• A degree (BA, MSc, PhD) in Computer Science, Software Development, or a related field - or equivalent hands-on experience

• Proven expertise building robust, scalable React applications - or similar frameworks like Angular or Vue

• Mastery of JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML5, and CSS to craft polished, high-performance interfaces

• Experience with responsive design frameworks such as Material-UI, Shadcn, or Tailwind to create seamless user experiences across devices

• Hands-on knowledge of version control systems, code coverage tools, and deployment pipelines to ensure quality and reliability

• A passion for web data visualisation, with skills in D3, Canvas, SVG, or similar technologies

• Excellent communication skills to engage effectively with both technical teams and scientific stakeholders

• A self-starter attitude with strong organisational skills to manage your own workload efficiently

• Familiarity with UX research methods and product management principles to help shape user-focused solutions

You may also have

• Proven experience working with GraphQL APIs (REST API knowledge is also valuable)

• Skilled in UX research methodologies and well-versed in product management principles to drive user-centered development

• The ability to navigate cloud platforms, preferably Google Cloud Platform, to deploy and scale applications

• Strong understanding of web application security, scalability, and performance best practices

• Background or experience in the research or life sciences sectors

• Knowledge of - or keen interest in - human genetics, genomics, and drug discovery

• Familiarity with programming languages like Python, Scala, Java, or R

• Interest in the potential of AI/ML technologies applied to scientific data

Contract length: 3 years
Salary: Grade 4 - Grade 5 depending on ability

Why join us?
Make a real impact. At EMBL-EBI, your skills help accelerate science and tackle some of humanity’s biggest challenges. As a global leader in biological data, we provide essential tools and databases that drive breakthroughs in healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.

Be part of innovation. Based on the Wellcome Genome Campus amid the stunning Cambridgeshire countryside, we’re a vibrant, inclusive community where collaboration thrives. Enjoy a supportive environment that values your growth and empowers you to reach your full potential.

Find out more: 
Open Targets: https://www.opentargets.org/
Open Targets Platform: https://platform.opentargets.org/
EMBL-EBI: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/
EBI: European Molecular Biology Laboratory

Why join us

Do something meaningful
At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.
 

Join a culture of innovation
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.  Watch this video to see how EMBL-EBI makes an impact.

Enjoy lots of 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, in addition 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.

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here. 

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information.  

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities. 

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date