About the Team
We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Service Desk Technician to join our team on a short term contract until early 2027 to cover a period of absence.
You’ll be part of a friendly team providing first line support to a diverse user base, with requirements ranging from daily desktop issues (laptops, printing, connectivity), to supporting the provision of complex global bioinformatics services. We operate a vast and unique infrastructure both in-house and in the Cloud and you’ll be exposed to all of it, learning as you go and developing the skills to take your IT career to the next level. This will be a great opportunity for someone looking to start their career in IT, or if you have a couple of years experience that you want to continue to build on!
The kind of behaviours that help our team thrive
A keenness to gain experience in IT
Ability to work well in a team & alone when needed
You are proactive & customer focused support
Someone who seeks opportunities to learn & expand technical knowledge
Being a supportive, helpful colleague who contributes to a helpful & positive environment
Building on the experience you already have, you’ll get to know the systems we use, the technologies we employ, the processes we follow and the challenges we face, in an environment where no two days are ever truly the same
In this role you will:
Provide onsite and remote technical support to staff members and visitors
Be part of a team acting as the first point of contact for all IT-related queries
Ensure all technical issues and queries received are logged, tracked and actioned according to agreed processes and best practices
Resolve or escalate tickets to the correct team within the IT department, following defined processes and procedures
Communicate with end-users in a clear, professional and friendly manner
Work ensuring compliance with ITIL Incident, Problem and Change Management processes and standards (training will be provided)
Work with your colleagues in other technical teams to develop and deliver quality services
Ensure the security and confidentiality of the personal information of our users and our data (training will be provided)
Carry out team administrative duties as required
You have (Essential)
Qualifications, experience & skills
We don’t expect you to know it all, but we’d like you to have…
IT industry qualifications or a relevant IT degree
A good understanding of IT in a professional environment, with experience configuring end-user devices and operating systems (macOS, Linux or Windows), computer hardware and peripherals
Basic programming or scripting experience (e.g. Bash, Powershell, Python)
Excellent customer facing skills
Great interpersonal skills; you’re a team player
A desire to develop your technical skills
Enjoy working in a busy and changing environment
Problem-solving skills - you can troubleshoot & resolve technical issues effectively and efficiently
You’re a quick and keen learner who knows when to ask for help
You can follow defined processes and procedures accurately, without supervision
You might also have (Desirable)
It would be even better if you have further experience and/or knowledge of…
Linux administration
Linux email servers and mailing lists
Computer networks
Audio-visual and video conferencing systems
Handling tickets in an ITSM system (we use ServiceNow)
We welcome applications from candidates who don’t tick all the boxes above, so please don’t be discouraged if your experience doesn’t quite fit - we will provide the necessary training for the right candidate.
Other helpful information
At EMBL-EBI we are pleased to offer hybrid working options for all our employees. Due to the nature of this role & our team, you would be required to work up to 4 days from the office in Hinxton (depending on the needs of the organisation this may increase to 5)
Interviews: We plan to hold introductory meetings with selected candidates remotely starting with interviews with selected candidates being on campus in May
Contract length: Supernumerary contract until December 2026.
Salary: Grade 3-4 monthly salary at £2,830 - £3,064 per month after tax but excluding national insurance contributions.
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.
Campus life & benefits:
Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns
Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays
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, maternity leave and holiday clubs on campus
What else you need to know
Learn how EMBL-EBI makes an impact
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.
How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.
Closing Date
06/05/2026