We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced User Experience (UX) Designer to join the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). You will play a pivotal role in our research and design initiatives, contributing to our goal of developing highly functional and user-friendly scientific web services that empower scientists and staff worldwide to address critical challenges in biology.
This exciting opportunity involves collaborating with various teams across EMBL-EBI, working on established and cutting-edge scientific web services. You'll work closely with bioinformaticians and life scientists, guiding the UX design of their projects as part of our dynamic Web Development team. Additionally, you'll enhance our consultancy activities for life sciences and the broader scientific community.
You will have the chance to connect with other UX Designers at EMBL-EBI, as well as a broader community of developers, curators, data scientists, and team leaders passionate about UX design. Your contributions will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific research conducted by our global user base.
Join us in our mission to advance bioinformatics through outstanding design and research. If you are passionate about UX design and eager to be part of a team dedicated to innovation, we would love to hear from you.
Your Role
As a User Experience Designer at EMBL-EBI , you will be involved in:
- Conducting user research and testing.
- Gathering requirements by speaking with stakeholders and running workshops.
- Developing wireframes and high fidelity mockups based on user needs.
- Collaborating with designers and developers to create intuitive, user-friendly innovative solutions.
User research and evaluation
- Organise and contribute to user research studies (e.g.,user interviews, observations, usability studies) to gain insights into user needs.
- Collaborate with teams to articulate user research outcomes and integrate them with analytics, surveys, feedback, and stakeholder requirements to produce actionable insights for development.
- Define the right interaction models and evaluate their impact on the products and services.
Design
- Translate research and stakeholder requirements into sketches, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that support the user journey.
- Produce high-fidelity design mockups to facilitate development.
- Incorporate and extend the EMBL visual framework in your designs.
- Organise and lead design reviews and sessions with stakeholders.
Collaboration
- Collaborate with teams to align project requirements and effectively advocate for user-centered design principles.
- Work collaboratively with other designers, product design and development teams, engineers and project managers.
You Have
- At least 3 years of experience as a UX designer, UI designer or a similar role.
- A portfolio showcasing examples of your work.
- Experience in organising and leading user research activities.
- Expertise with Figma or another design and prototyping tool, such as Sketch, Adobe XD etc.
- Experience determining the information architecture and creating sitemaps.
- Experience working as a member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team and collaborating with other designers, developers and non-technical stakeholders throughout the research and design process.
- Ability to work autonomously when required, handle multiple tasks and work to deadlines.
- Excellent written verbal and visual communication skills.
You might also have
- A degree or other qualification in a design discipline, or relevant industry experience.
- Experience with User Centered Design (UCD) and/or Lean and Agile UX design methodologies.
- An understanding of Agile software development practices.
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS ( basic understanding of Wordpress is a plus)
- An interest in life sciences and a desire to work in a stimulating and international culture.
- Knowledge and interest in accessibility, including the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.x), to ensure our web services are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
Why join us
Do something meaningful
At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.
Join a culture of innovation
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.
Enjoy Lots Of Benefits
- 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
- 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 to eight bank 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.
For more details please see our employee benefits page.
What Else You Need To Know
- Contract duration: This position is a 3 year contract, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.
- Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
- EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.
- Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.
- How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date: 20th August 2024.
