Research Assistant - Database Curator
Join our Bioinformatics team and contribute to our international HLA reference database, providing expert curation of data submitted from around the world.
We’re Anthony Nolan. We’re here to uncover the answers inside us. Answers for people with blood cancer and blood disorders. Answers that will not only improve lives today but save them tomorrow.
By uniting people and science, we’re growing our world-leading stem cell register, so everyone who needs a transplant, can find their lifesaving match. We’re currently giving four people a day another chance to live.
Driven by patients, backed by stem cell donors, and powered by science, we won’t stop until we’ve unlocked the cures, treatments and transplants that will transform the future for more patients. And together, we can reach the remarkable day where every patient who needs us can not only survive, but thrive.
If you're inspired by this vision, and feel you have the skills and experience we need to help achieve it, we'd love you to join our lifesaving team.
We are looking for a Research Assistant – Database Curator to join our Bioinformatics team.
Title: Research Assistant – Database Curator
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 per week (standard Anthony Nolan working hours)
Location: Hybrid, with head office in Hampstead, London
Be part of our Bioinformatics Team, where you will be responsible for updating our world leading sequence reference databases including the IPD-IMGT/HLA Database.
You will:
- Update the HLA and KIR sequence databases on a daily basis, including checking and processing new submissions and liaising with the laboratories which are submitting new sequence data.
- Analyse sequences (including both cDNA and genomic sequences, from HLA, KIR and another of other genes) and prepare monthly reports for the head of the group.
- Be involved in the production and quality control of quarterly releases.
You will bring:
- A degree in a Biological Science or equivalent
- An ability to demonstrate meticulous attention to detail
- A working knowledge of computerised data handling systems, experience of FileMaker Pro and SQL advantageous
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- A willingness to learn basic bioinformatics, basic python or coding skills would be beneficial
- The desire to learn about the HLA or KIR fields if you have no previous experience in these areas.
What’s in it for you?
- A competitive salary
- 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, childcare vouchers, access to counselling via a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
- A stimulating work environment full of opportunities to learn and develop
- Life Assurance of four times annual salary
- Travel season ticket loan, Cycle to work Scheme
- And more! (further details on our Life at Anthony Nolan page)
Please check out the full job description here, and you can read more about what to expect on the Our recruitment process page.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to submit their applications at their earliest convenience.
Release your remarkable, join our team and give someone another chance to live.
Anthony Nolan is a Disability Confident Committed and Living Wage accredited employer.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK.
- Department
- Research
- Role
- Bioinformatics
- Locations
- Anthony Nolan Research Institute
- Yearly salary
- £35,000
- Contract hours
- Full time
- Employment type
- Permanent
- Closing date
- 31 July, 2025
- Hybrid working expectation
- 4 days per week on site

Anthony Nolan Research Institute
So how can you tell if you're Anthony Nolan too?
- You’re passionate and dedicated to your work
- You’re innovative and looking for a challenge
- You want to improve and learn every day
- You’re accountable for your work and take pride in what you do
- You’re people and patient focused – you want to make a difference to people’s lives
These five values are what drive and motivate us across all of our divisions. From lab research and tissue typing, to finance, HR and legal, from patient support and logistics, to fundraising, marketing and communications… everyone has a critical role to play in our lifesaving work.
We’re incredibly proud of the people who work for us – and we’re always on the lookout for more passionate and talented individuals. If you like the idea of joining a team that gives four people the chance of life every day, check out our job listings below.
About Anthony Nolan
Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between patients in need and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. Find out more about what we do here.
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