Software Engineer

Role Type: 2-year full time contract

Salary: $95,000 - $112,000 per annum plus superannuation

Location: Sydney or Melbourne

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a skilled and curious Software Engineer who is excited by the challenge of turning complex scientific data into accessible, open-source tools with real impact. In this role, you'll support large-scale genomic analyses and contribute to the development of intuitive, web-based interfaces similar to tools like the gnomAD browser or seqr.

Working closely with a passionate team of software engineers, computational biologists, and population geneticists, you’ll help develop infrastructure and interfaces that support world-class genomic research — and contribute to open science along the way.

About Your New Team

The Centre for Population Genomics (CPG) is a pioneering not-for-profit research initiative, jointly led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). With a team of over 40 experts across Australia and New Zealand, we are building the foundations for a future where genomic medicine works for everyone — not just a select few.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to ensure the benefits of genomic discovery reach all Australians. By partnering respectfully with underrepresented communities and analysing genomic data at transformative scale, we are tackling real health inequities head-on.

Your Responsibilities Include

• Build scalable tools and cloud-based infrastructure for analysing massive genomic datasets.
• Translate scientific requirements into production-ready systems and visualizations.
• Develop robust, maintainable, and well-tested code in languages like Python, Go, or Scala.
• Collaborate with research and clinical teams to create intuitive access to complex data.
• Champion open-source practices and contribute to high-impact global genomics projects.
• Participate in remote-first work culture, with regular team meet-ups and collaboration events.

What We Need From You

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python or other modern languages (e.g., Go, Scala).
• Experience with relational databases (e.g., Postgres, MySQL) and query optimisation.
• Familiarity with DevOps (CI/CD, containers, monitoring) and cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure).
• Excellent communication skills and experience working in distributed teams.
• Passion for open-source software and scientific collaboration.

For full viewing of responsibilities and requirements please refer to the position description.

Any specific questions related to this position should be directed to Chethana Krishnakumar at Chethana.krishnakumar@mcri.edu.au.

What’s in it for you?

• Benefit from salary packaging, including entertainment and novated leases
• Work with leading researchers at the cutting edge of population genomics.
• Help solve real-world problems and reduce health inequities.
• Be part of a collaborative, supportive, and remote-first team.
• Contribute to open-source tools used by the global scientific community.
• Enjoy flexible work arrangements, regular in-person team events, and ongoing professional development

Who We Are

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem-solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation.

We are committed to the safety of children and young people and takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse, exploitation and harm. Child safety is prioritised in our decision-making at all levels of the Institute.

Join Us!

If you believe this role is a good fit for you, please apply by submitting:

• Your resume
• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

Ensure these documents are combined into a single PDF file.

We welcome individuals of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations in our workplace. We actively encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to apply for our job openings. Our commitment lies in fostering a workplace that is barrier-free and inclusive, aiming to attract the most skilled candidates.

_For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment team at recruitment@mcri.edu.au. Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address.

__Please note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

No recruitment agencies please.

_Position Description

Applications close: 11 July 2025 AUS Eastern Daylight time