You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying prototype services that enable natural language queries across EBI metadata and selected data type specific searches. You will:

Implement MCP-based services to expose search endpoints to AI agents.
Develop a central NLQ entry point integrating metadata search and specialised search modalities.
Support multilingual search and text summarisation.
Work closely with the user community, organising workshops, surveys, and UX testing to capture evolving requirements in a rapidly changing technical environment.
Collaborate with EMBL-EBI technical teams and external partners to ensure interoperability, scalability, and sustainability of the developed services.

University degree in computer science, bioinformatics, or a related field.
Experience with emerging AI agent standards like MCP.
Strong experience in software development (Python, Java, or similar) and working with search technologies (e.g. Lucene/SOLR, Elasticsearch).
Familiarity with natural language processing, large language models, or conversational AI frameworks.
Proven ability to engage with scientific communities and translate user requirements into technical solutions.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
Knowledge of biological data resources and their use in research.
Experience with user experience testing and workshop facilitation.

The European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking a talented and motivated Software Engineer to join our SearchBot project. This new initiative will pilot natural language query (NLQ) capabilities across EBI Search, which indexes more than 6.6 billion records from EMBL-EBI's world-leading life science resources.
Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

Contract length: 3 year project limited contract.
Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns
Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays
Relocation package including installation grant (if required)
Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

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