Overview
Be among the first applicants for a Software Specialist role at GitLife, builder of CellRepo for traceability and collaboration in synthetic biology. CellRepo enables scientists and organisations to version-control living materials with the same ease that developers track code. We’re a small, interdisciplinary team aiming to make biology more reliable, transparent, and scalable.
We’re looking for someone to own the development of CellRepo as we scale it into the global standard for biological traceability. This isn’t a back-office coding role—you’ll work directly with clients and users to onboard them, understand their pain points, and co-design solutions. Your mission: make CellRepo intuitive, robust, and indispensable for biologists worldwide.
The role is remote/hybrid-friendly, but occasional UK travel to meet clients face-to-face is expected. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential alongside technical expertise.
Role Description
Role Description We’re seeking a Software Specialist with a background in synthetic biology, computational biology, or bioinformatics.
This role involves working directly with our clients, helping them onboard, understanding their pain points, and co-designing solutions.
What You'll Do
* Work closely with CellRepo users to provide technical support, identify friction points, and translate their needs into practical software solutions.
* Implement a smooth CellRepo onboarding process and onboard new users to the platform.
* Lead the development lifecycle: specification, documentation, design, coding, testing, deployment.
* Build scalable and secure systems using Ruby on Rails, Node.js, AWS S3, and Heroku (or equivalents).
* Design and implement modern front-end interfaces and graphical user tools tailored for life sciences applications.
* Architect and maintain web services and APIs that enable seamless integrations.
* Implement Agile practices and CI/CD pipelines to deliver results quickly and reliably.
* Run performance profiling, stress testing, and security reviews to ensure robustness under real-world conditions.
* Collaborate with colleagues, partners, and customers to develop prototypes, explore feasibility, and push the boundaries of what CellRepo can do.
What we're Looking for
* Experience in computational biology, bioinformatics, or synthetic biology.
* Strong grasp of modern front-end frameworks (React, Vue, or similar) and UX design for complex scientific workflows.
* Proven ability to run Agile projects and deliver on deadlines.
* Experience with CI/CD, test-driven development, and deployment best practices.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – you enjoy engaging with users as much as building features.
* Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK for client meetings and workshops.
What we're Looking for
* Shape the future of synthetic biology software – you’ll have direct ownership of a product that is redefining how researchers work with living systems.
* Interdisciplinary environment – work at the cutting edge of computing and biology, alongside scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
* Flexible working – remote-first with hybrid options, plus autonomy to manage your schedule.
* Impactful collaborations – partner with universities, biotech startups, and industry leaders who are shaping tomorrow’s technologies.
* Growth opportunity – as one of our early engineers, you’ll help define our technical direction and grow with the company.
How to Apply
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV, portfolio/GitHub.
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