Job Specifications
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. 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 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.
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 project based
Salary: Grade 4 - 5 monthly salary starting at PS3,064 - PS3,303 per month af