EMBL-EBI is hiring a Scientific Data Curator for its Molecular Networks team in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, on a 3-year contract renewable to a maximum of 9 years. Applications close on 29 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy (JR4761) and set out every duty, requirement, salary detail and benefit below.
Key Facts About Vacancy JR4761
🔖 Position: Scientific Data Curator Molecular Networks (AI-Assisted Curation)
🏛️ Employer: EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory
👥 Team: Molecular Networks
📍 Location: Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, on the Wellcome Genome Campus
📄 Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years
🏅 Grade: 5 or 6, depending on qualifications and experience
🗣️ Interviews: planned via Zoom in December 2026
What the Molecular Networks Team Builds
The Molecular Networks team at EMBL-EBI helps build the next generation of biological knowledge resources used by researchers worldwide. The team develops and operates internationally recognised data resources, including IntAct and Complex Portal, which provide expertly curated information on molecular interactions and macromolecular complexes.
These resources support systems biology, drug discovery and biomedical research. They make complex biological knowledge accessible through high-quality curation, modern data services and programmatic APIs.
Where This Role Sits: Biocuration, Bioinformatics and AI
The Scientific Data Curator contributes to the curation and integration of molecular interaction and macromolecular complex data. The post sits at the intersection of biocuration, bioinformatics and emerging AI-assisted curation technologies, helping to extract and structure biological knowledge from the scientific literature and integrate it into internationally used biological databases.
Your Contribution to IntAct and Complex Portal
The vacancy describes this as an opportunity to contribute to the globally used biological knowledgebases IntAct and Complex Portal. You will curate and integrate biological knowledge about molecular interactions and macromolecular complexes, ensuring that the data captured in these resources is accurate, consistent and useful to the international scientific community.
Combining Expert Curation With AI-Assisted Tools
Working closely with bioinformaticians, software developers and international collaborators, you will contribute to the development of modern curation workflows. These workflows combine expert manual curation with AI-assisted literature mining and knowledge extraction tools.
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Responsibilities of the Scientific Data Curator
📚 Curating molecular interaction and complex information from the scientific literature and direct user data depositions
🏷️ Capturing biological knowledge using controlled vocabularies, ontologies and community data standards
🤖 Validating and improving data extracted through AI-assisted literature mining tools
🛠️ Collaborating with software developers to improve biocuration tools and curation pipelines
📐 Contributing to the development and application of community standards for molecular interaction data
🔗 Supporting data integration with other EMBL-EBI resources and international biological databases
🤝 Engaging with the scientific community to ensure high-quality representation of experimental data
Working With an International Scientific Community
As part of the team, you will interact with an international community of researchers, database users and collaborators, helping to ensure that the curated knowledge captured in these resources remains accurate, comprehensive and accessible.
Essential Qualifications and Skills
🎓 A PhD or MSc in molecular biology, bioinformatics, systems biology or a related life science discipline
🧫 Strong understanding of molecular biology, protein interactions or cellular pathways
📖 Experience in analysing and interpreting scientific literature
🗄️ Familiarity with biological databases or bioinformatics resources
🗂️ Experience in data curation, knowledge representation and biological data standards
💡 Strong interest in intelligent use of AI
🧠 Experience in LLM use in a biological data context
🔎 Ability to work with structured data and attention to detail
📊 Strong organisational and analytical skills
🌐 Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international team
💬 Excellent communication, interpersonal and English language skills
Desirable Experience
🧬 Experience with biocuration and/or annotation of biological databases
🌳 Experience with ontologies and controlled vocabularies (e.g. Gene Ontology or PSI-MI)
💻 Experience using bioinformatics tools or scripting languages (e.g. Python or R)
📝 Experience in text mining, natural language processing or AI-assisted literature analysis
📈 Experience working with large biological datasets, and with analytical/visualisation tools such as Cytoscape
🤲 Experience collaborating in international scientific projects or consortia
Salary, Grade and Contract Length
The position is offered at Grade 5 or 6, depending on qualifications and experience. The monthly salary is from £3,452 or £3,861 after tax, plus generous benefits and financial allowances depending on individual circumstances. These figures exclude 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.
The contract runs for 3 years and is renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
Why EMBL-EBI Describes This Work as Meaningful
EMBL-EBI invites staff to apply their talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. As part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, it is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets.
The institute provides the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools that are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security and biodiversity.
Life on the Wellcome Genome Campus
EMBL-EBI is located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations and surrounded by the Cambridgeshire countryside. The employer describes a highly collaborative and inclusive community with a relaxed atmosphere, and says it is committed to ensuring employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.
Financial Benefits and Allowances
💵 Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances
📅 Annual salary review
🏦 Pension scheme
🛡️ Death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
🚚 Relocation package including installation grant (conditions apply)
Time Off, Flexibility and Health Cover
🏠 Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working patterns
🌴 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays
🩺 Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family, including all prescriptions and generous dental and optical cover
Campus Life
🚌 Free shuttle bus to and from work
📕 On-site library
🏋️ Subsidised on-site gym
🍽️ Subsidised on-site 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
👪 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
🧾 A monthly non-resident allowance
International Applicants and Inclusion
EMBL recruits internationally, and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Further detail is available on its International Applicants page and its employee benefits page.
EMBL is a signatory of DORA and publishes how it applies DORA principles to its recruitment and performance assessment processes. The organisation believes that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence, and it encourages applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.
How to Apply and What Happens Next
📎 Submit a cover letter and a CV through EMBL's online system
⏰ Applications close at 23:59 CET on the closing date
📬 EMBL aims to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date
📹 Interviews are planned via Zoom in December 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted with further details
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Scientific Data Curator at EMBL-EBI do?
The curator extracts and structures knowledge on molecular interactions and macromolecular complexes from the scientific literature and direct user data depositions for IntAct and Complex Portal. The work also includes validating and improving data extracted through AI-assisted literature mining tools.
What degree is required for vacancy JR4761?
Applicants need a PhD or MSc in molecular biology, bioinformatics, systems biology or a related life science discipline. Experience in data curation, knowledge representation and biological data standards is also listed as essential.
Is experience with AI required for this EMBL-EBI role?
Yes. The essential criteria include a strong interest in intelligent use of AI and experience in LLM use in a biological data context. Experience in text mining, natural language processing or AI-assisted literature analysis is listed as an additional advantage.
How much does the Scientific Data Curator position pay?
The post is at Grade 5 or 6, with a monthly salary from £3,452 or £3,861 after tax, depending on qualifications and experience. Generous benefits and financial allowances apply depending on individual circumstances, and the figures exclude 12.99% personal pension and insurance contributions.
How long is the contract?
The contract length is 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years. The role is based in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, on the Wellcome Genome Campus.
Can international candidates apply?
Yes. According to Youth Works Hub's review of the vacancy, EMBL recruits internationally and offers successful candidates visa exemptions. Non-UK residents also receive benefits such as an education grant for private schooling and a monthly non-resident allowance.
Which documents are needed, and when are interviews held?
Candidates submit a cover letter and a CV through EMBL's online system. Interviews are planned via Zoom in December 2026, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted with further details.
Deadline
⏳ 29 November 2026
Link
🔗 Application page: https://embl.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/EMBL/job/Hinxton-Cambridgeshire/Scientific-Data-Curator-Molecular-Networks--AI-Assisted-Curation-_JR4761
