Solution Developer

Are you a recent graduate looking for your first challenge out of university or your more experienced and looking for your first software development role in a solutions environment? We could have just the role for you.

About the role:

You will work as part of a team providing solutions for our specialist genomics scientists. You will be contributing to delivery of Pipeline Solutions products by integrating 3rd party and in-house applications to track experiments and perform analyses. We will help you develop skills in:

• collaboration: with other members of the Cellular Informatics, Pipeline Solutions, and IDS teams, and research teams across campus
• communication: gathering requirements from experimental laboratory science teams
• understanding: build a deep understanding of Python and JavaScript, and develop upon existing applications
• testing: employ testing best practices in all areas of your code
• learning: ITIL framework to co-create value in solutions for our customers

Your role involves gathering requirements directly from the laboratory groups. You will be assisted in developing an understanding of the biology involved. Analysing the data provided and collaboratively developing a solution will be a crucial part of the job. The solution developer role will provide the scope for you to develop your requirements gathering skills.

Our systems are developed upon an internal cloud solution - Openstack. You will learn how to manage the virtual machines, web servers and other tools necessary to host an application on the cloud. We work with a maturing CI/CD process powered by our internal GitLab system and Docker images.

You will be working on a substantial project that involves storage, tracking and analysis of large data sets. This project acts as a cluster of microservices, integrating with a commercial electronic laboratory notebook and various systems across the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

About you:

You will learn and deploy best practice programming and testing techniques using appropriate tools and languages. The team operates a Scrum approach to development with a team-centric mentality. You’ll be coached and trained by your fellow developers on ways to develop your skills going forward.

You will grow a knowledge of Python and JavaScript, which are applied in various contexts across our products. An essential part of the role is to develop an understanding of each of the systems’ architecture, data schema and tools. However, no previous experience in the aforementioned languages is required. Your desire to learn and adapt in our fast-changing scientific environment is critical.

Building an in-depth understanding of our information systems will enable you to best support our laboratory scientists.

About us:

You will work as part of the Cellular Informatics team which is part of a broader Pipeline Solutions unit, which includes system designers and developers, data scientists, and service management specialists, in a DevSecOps / Agile delivery environment.

As a group of solution developers, we work in a team-oriented manner taking the best from current computing practices. By deploying our skills in software development and integrating existing solutions, we co-create value with our stakeholders. We maintain frequent conversations with users, building relationships and confidence. We aren’t afraid of rapid change in our tools to keep up with the evolution of the research that drives the development of our solutions.

Essential Technical skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in computer related sciences or equivalent experience
• Evidence of competence in a modern scripting language using a relational database

Competencies and Behaviours:

• Demonstrate an interest in people and desire to communicate to communicate in spoken and written forms
• Ability to deliver components by co-creating value with the stakeholders
• Demonstrate a commitment to follow agreed design standards and principles
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• If no web development experience, willingness to learn and excel in web development
• Any curiosity in Solution Design, UI/EX, and ITSM(Problem Management)

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the skills set out above. Please describe in your Covering letter your drive to work in a research institute, aptitude to working in a team and your willingness to learn new technologies and methodologies.

Other Information:

We operate a hybrid working pattern with 2 days in the office and the rest working from home. Solution developers can fulfil the majority of their roles working from home, and we are very supportive in getting the equipment and access you will need to make the best of your career at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

You should expect questions at the interview around your ability and potential to work in this hybrid manner.

You should expect your aptitude, programming and testing skills to be tested during the interview process.

Salary range: £36,000 to £42,000 (dependant on skills and experience)

Closing Date: 5th February 2023