About the role

Design and develop scalable backend services and data pipelines to support scientific discovery and open access platforms. Modernize ingestion workflows using Apache Airflow and optimize search capabilities with OpenSearch.

What they look for

Python Django Flask FastAPI REST APIs PostgreSQL OpenSearch Elasticsearch Docker Kubernetes Apache Airflow CI/CD Asynchronous Programming Data Pipelines AI/LLM Integration Git

Requirements

Requires a university degree in Computer Science and strong professional experience in Python backend development with frameworks like Django or FastAPI. Proficiency in REST APIs, relational databases, and containerization tools is essential.

Full description

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For our client in Geneva, we are looking for a Backend Python Engineer to join an international scientific environment and contribute to the development and modernisation of large-scale information platforms. In this role, you will work on backend services, data pipelines and search technologies that support scientific discovery and open access for researchers worldwide.

As part of the Tools and Services team, you will help evolve platforms that manage scientific publications, research data and digital archives. Your focus will be on building scalable backend solutions, improving data processing workflows, enabling AI-driven access to scientific content and ensuring reliable production systems.

Your Task:

Design, develop and operate backend services using Python

Build and maintain scalable data ingestion and processing pipelines for scientific metadata and full-text content

Modernise existing ingestion workflows and migrate processes to Apache Airflow

Design and implement robust REST APIs for internal applications, partners and external tools

Develop and optimise search capabilities using OpenSearch, including indexing strategies and relevance tuning

Support the integration of AI-driven retrieval solutions and Model Context Protocol services

Improve data quality through enrichment, deduplication and automated processing workflows

Contribute to the modernisation of digitisation and archival services

Support large-scale data migrations while ensuring metadata consistency and quality

Develop containerised applications and support modern deployment processes

Implement automated testing, code reviews, monitoring and CI/CD practices

Contribute to open-source software and support the Open Science community

Your Profile:

University degree in Computer Science or a related field with relevant professional experience

Strong professional experience in backend development with Python

Hands-on experience with Python frameworks such as Django, Flask and FastAPI

Solid experience designing and developing REST APIs

Strong understanding of relational databases such as PostgreSQL and document databases

Practical experience with search technologies such as OpenSearch / Elasticsearch, including indexing and relevance tuning

Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Git and CI/CD pipelines

Knowledge of asynchronous programming, automated testing and software engineering best practices

Experience with large-scale data processing, metadata-driven systems and data pipelines

Experience with Apache Airflow or similar workflow orchestration tools is an advantage

Knowledge of AI-driven retrieval systems and AI/LLM integrations is a plus

Familiarity with digital archiving, content management systems or scientific information platforms is an advantage

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on developing reliable, scalable and maintainable software solutions

Proactive, quality-oriented team player with strong ownership and ability to work effectively in multicultural environments

Excellent spoken and written English skills