Lead Developer

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Fixed Term (FTA) - 42 months  

We are seeking to recruit a Lead Developer, with expertise in bioinformatics, to lead RBG Kew's contribution to the AGENT project. Kew maintains the Millennium Seed Bank, the world's most biodiverse seed bank, and in AGENT we are partnering with about 20 of Europe's leading crop seed banks to develop an open digital infrastructure for the management of plant genetic resources. AGENT aims to unlock the full potential of the biological material stored in seed banks around the globe by using DNA sequencing technologies in conjunction with FAIR international data standards. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world's plants and fungi.  

The post holder will be responsible for Kew's contribution to AGENT project, including (i) development of novel software for data validation, storage, distribution and visualisation (ii) testing and integration of established software packages (iii) data analysis. The successful applicant will work on constructing robust, scalable and portable pipelines for the validation, analysis and visualisation of these data.

The successful candidate will have an M.Sc. or higher degree in biological or computational sciences, and be able to demonstrate expertise in bioinformatics, software engineering, and application development.  They will be expert in at least one modern computing programming language (Python, Perl, Java, etc.), be familiar with database management systems, and be able to demonstrate their ability to learn new technologies as appropriate.  They will be able to work independently and to collaborate routinely with partners working at different institutions, and be able to communicate well with other scientists, in meetings and in external scientific presentations.  Relevent experience includes working with next generation sequencing data; use and development of data standards; software containerization; and development of web-based applications. Genomics-based approaches are increasingly being undertaken in a range of contexts across Kew, and it's an exciting time to join us as we seek to catalogue and understand the diversity of plant and fungal life.

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please visit our website for more information and to apply.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.