Software Developer

at  European Molecular Biology Laboratory

IT and Infrastructure
EMBL Heidelberg
EMBO is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.
Our diverse international team of approximately 60 members hails from various countries, personal backgrounds, and professional fields, collaborating closely to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.
Your role
We are seeking a skilled Software Developer to join the Information Support & Resources (ISR) team. ISR plays a crucial role in supporting EMBO’s operations by developing and maintaining central data storage and workflow management tools, as well as providing IT support. Our current focus is on innovating new solutions to enhance application and grants management.
We invite applications from experienced developers at various levels, including mid- and senior-level professionals. We also welcome candidates with a scientific background who have gained software development experience through their professional work. This position is ideal for someone who excels at understanding and integrating the needs of a diverse user base, and who can deploy effective development solutions to ensure a seamless user experience for both internal and external stakeholders. Your people skills will be as important as your technical skills in this role.
You will play a critical role in building our future online applications portal (codename my.embo.org) using modern web technologies, development tools and workflows. Additionally, you will extend, maintain and improve our portfolio of in-house developed solutions.
You will have opportunities to collaborate with experienced colleagues, participate in professional development courses, and technical training or conferences.
You will work closely with your colleagues on the ISR team, which includes a Web Developer and an IT Administrator, as well as users across EMBO, and report to Alejandro Riera Mainar, the Head of ISR. You will drive your own tasks and projects within an environment where mutual assistance and teamwork are highly valued. You will have freedom to make decisions and influence strategies, delivering high-quality software tools that significantly enhance our colleagues’ work.

Your main tasks will include:

• Developing, releasing and maintaining the new version of our online applications portal my.embo.org, currently being developed with Django, Vue.js and PostgreSQL;
• Supporting and maintaining our portfolio of in-house developed software solutions, including various web applications and databases. You will be working mainly with Django, Vue.js and PostgreSQL using Docker containers, although we also host a few PHP-based websites;
• Providing a first line of support to internal and external users of those applications/databases;
• Contributing to the maintenance of our server infrastructure;
• Deputizing for any of your teammates, providing a minimum service in their absence;
• Communicating with the EMBL campus IT team to agree on hardware and infrastructure needs;
• Working with our established FileMaker Pro database to advise internal users and improve workflows.

Occasional work outside normal hours, including weekends, is required.
Closing date: 14 July 2024
Contract duration: 5 years
Grading: 5 or 6 (Monthly salary starting from 3.7k - 4.3K EUR after tax and other paid benefits)
Reference number: EMBO00159

You have

• At least 3 years of demonstrable work experience in the field;
• Experience programming in at least one of the main programming languages currently used at EMBO (Python, PHP, JavaScript) or a comparable alternative;
• Knowledge of established good practices in the industry such as test-driven development, design patterns, object-oriented programming or functional programming, CI/CD;
• Familiarity working with the standard web development ecosystem in a collaborative environment, for example, using version control systems (we use git), command line tools in Linux-like environments, package managers (npm, pip, composer), and a basic understanding of networking;
• The ability to work co-operatively within a group and across EMBO to achieve goals
• A problem-solving, service-oriented and customer-focused mindset. You have the ability to understand your customers and identify their needs. You are willing and able to deliver high-quality services;
• Strong communication skills are essential due to the collaborative nature of ISR’s work across all departments at EMBO. You should be able to explain the reasons for your choices and decisions to non-technical colleagues;
• A basic understanding of relational databases (we use PostgreSQL or MySQL for web projects and also run a FileMaker server).

You might also have

• A degree in computer science, software engineering, or adjacent fields; or a web development bootcamp certification; or
• Production experience building and deploying web applications, ideally with Django and Vue.js;
• Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes;
• Experience maintaining and working with PostgreSQL or MySQL, designing the structure of relational models to solve real problems;
• Experience developing and maintaining FileMaker databases;
• Experience setting up and maintaining Linux or Windows servers;
• Demonstrated ability to translate user requests to features and into shipped functionalities;
• Familiarity with Agile Development methodologies;
• Familiarity with Office365 and Asana.

Why join us
Promote the life sciences
At EMBO, you can contribute significantly to the advancement of life sciences in Europe and beyond. Your work will enable talented scientists to do great research and create an environment that enables their success.
Join a professional working environment
EMBO values diversity and is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer. We cultivate a work environment where employees are valued and empowered to excel professionally.
Our offices are located on the EMBL campus in Heidelberg, Germany, which is home to over 1,000 employees from around the world. The campus has an on-site nursery, subsidized canteen and cafeteria, as well as clubs for social activities and sports.
Heidelberg, with a population of around 160,000 people, is an international university city and research hub. It is attractively located between the Rhine River and the Odenwald, a low mountain range that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The city has good national and international travel connections.
Enjoy attractive employee benefits

EMBO provides competitive compensation and benefits suitable for an international research organization, including:

• Competitive salary with transparent annual reviews
• Family and child allowances
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for you and your immediate family
• Retirement benefits, accident insurance, death benefits, and unemployment insurance
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options
• 30 days of paid annual leave plus public holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and training, as well as subsidized language courses for integration purposes (depending on eligibility criteria)
• Depending on eligibility criteria: non-resident allowance, education grant, home leave, travel grant, and relocation package, including installation grant.

What else you need to know
Contract duration
EMBO offers a fixed-term contract of five years for this position, issued through the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Contracts can be extended up to a maximum of nine years in total, subject to circumstances at the time of the review.
International applicants
EMBO and EMBL welcome applications from candidates worldwide. Due to EMBL’s intergovernmental status, a working visa is not required. However, depending on your nationality, an entry visa may be necessary. Once in Germany, we will assist you with registration and documentation processes, and you will receive a special permit (Sonderausweis), allowing you to work at EMBO, live in Germany and travel within the Schengen area. Family members accompanying you will also receive necessary permits.
How to apply
Please apply online through www.embl.org/jobs. Your application should include a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact details of two or three referees.
If you have questions about the role, please contact Alejandro Riera Mainar (alejandro.riera@embo.org).
There will be a three-step interview process consisting of an online pre-interview, followed by an online technical interview and task for selected candidates. Final candidates will be invited to an on-site interview in Heidelberg.
Pre-interviews and technical interviews for this role will take place on a rolling basis during and shortly after the advertisement period. The in-person interviews are currently set to take place in the week commencing 15 July 2024

• Developing, releasing and maintaining the new version of our online applications portal my.embo.org, currently being developed with Django, Vue.js and PostgreSQL;
• Supporting and maintaining our portfolio of in-house developed software solutions, including various web applications and databases. You will be working mainly with Django, Vue.js and PostgreSQL using Docker containers, although we also host a few PHP-based websites;
• Providing a first line of support to internal and external users of those applications/databases;
• Contributing to the maintenance of our server infrastructure;
• Deputizing for any of your teammates, providing a minimum service in their absence;
• Communicating with the EMBL campus IT team to agree on hardware and infrastructure needs;
• Working with our established FileMaker Pro database to advise internal users and improve workflows