Data Engineer

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.

We are seeking to recruit a passionate Data Engineer to help us develop the solutions for the world’s key cancer genomics resource, in COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations of Cancer). We invite individuals with backgrounds in computer science or bioinformatics to join us in this exciting opportunity to contribute to cancer genomics. You will be directly involved with exciting projects, implement tools and processes in the cloud environment, to support the world’s key cancer genomics resource, COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations of Cancer).

This role is needed to enable the rapid growth and evolution of COSMIC’s large-scale biological datasets and products, helping to advance cancer research globally and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.

Data is currently gathered from a variety of sources, from manual curation to structured repositories, and standardised into the COSMIC database before release via our analytic website. This genetic and genomic data is increasing in quantity and scope, its value is enhanced by analytic highlights, and this position will improve the handling, annotation, meaningful presentation and user access of this information. More specifically in this role, we provide excellent opportunities to apply best practices in software development, writing clean code, and taking a test-driven development approach.

You will support the development of new automated pipelines and workflows for data curation and release of COSMIC products. Participate in developing solutions for the storage and production pipeline of vast genomic data in the cloud environment.

While a background in biology or genomics is beneficial, it is not essential. We value candidates who are eager to learn and engage with a wide range of cancer genomics datasets. The role involves maintaining and supporting automated pipelines and workflows on cloud platforms.

You must be a good communicator and able to understand the goals and aims of the collaborative COSMIC team and its customers of researchers, scientists and clinicians, globally. You will have experience in developing software and analytical tools across large datasets, ensuring throughput and quality.

You will contribute in bringing new perspectives on options for storage, pipelining and visualisation. You will possess a degree in Computer Science or Bioinformatics, and demonstrate expertise in a modern programming language such as Python and (Postgres/Oracle) SQL, within a Unix/Linux environment.

This position would be well-suited for someone with experience in software development. You will join a multidisciplinary, committed and supportive team with the opportunity to work in conjunction with software developers, bioinformaticians, curators and scientists as well as colleagues and collaborators both in Sanger and externally.

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• Degree or equivalent experience in Software development/Computer Science or Bioinformatics
  
• Proven experience in at least one modern programming language, preferably Python or PERL
  
• Proven experience in one or more scripting languages preferably Bash or Shell
  
• Expertise across large and complex relational databases, proficient in SQL
  
• An understanding of FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) data
  
• Experience in Data handling skills
  
• Experience or willingness to learn how to create/maintain data processing pipelines
  
• Experience with modern coding practices: Git, Agile
  
• Knowledge or experience in data warehousing architecture and concepts (ETL and ELT) and data modelling
  
• Experience or willingness to learn development best practices in DevOps, Containers, CI/CD, and TDD
  

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• A demonstrable, enthusiastic, can-do, learn, proactive attitude
  
• Enthusiasm, commitment and attention to detail
  
• Ability to prioritise activities and manage the own workload independently
  
• Ability to explain technical issues effectively and understandably to non-technical users
  
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders at all levels
  
• Ability to understand scientific and technical challenges
  
• Shows curiosity and a willingness to learn new technologies, tools, and ways of working
  
• Adjusts to changing requirements, priorities, or technical approaches
  
• Welcomes feedback from peers and seniors
  
• Collaborates effectively with team members and contributes to shared goals
  

COSMIC is the key information source in global human cancer research and is growing rapidly in content, scope, and value. We exist to speed up the field of precision oncology so that every cancer journey can be tailored, accurate, and precise. We do this by streamlining and simplifying genomics data analysis for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment research.

More about COSMIC: COSMIC: a curated database of somatic variants and clinical data for cancer - PMC

Please Apply By Submitting Your CV And a Supporting Cover Letter. Your Cover Letter Should Clearly Cover The Following Three Areas

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• Your background and previous related experience
  
• Your relevant skills and how they align with the role
  
• Your motivation for applying for this position
  

Applications without a cover letter addressing all three points will not be considered

Salary per annum: £37,470 - £43,500

Role Profile

Informatician/ Data Scientist job family: Grade 3

Contract Type: Permanent

Recruitment Process: Shortlisting w/c 9th Feb, Interviews w/c 16th February or w/c 2nd March

Closing date: 8th February 2026

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger: 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.

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. 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. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.