Job Description

Salary for this Role:
From 64,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
Job Title: Senior Solution Architect
Reports to: James Clements
Closing Date: 20/Jul/2025 23.59 GMT
:
Senior Solution Architect
Reports to: Lead Architect
This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We've removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the role
The Information Technology Office (ITO) team within the Francis Crick Institute is responsible for the design, implementation and operation of IT services which manage the running of the institute, along with the publication and library services provided to scientists. Within this team, this role will be responsible for the design of new services for a variety of different projects within the Crick, relating to Enterprise Resource Planning, Service Management, Data exploitation, Talent acquisition and management, and more.
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world's leading research Institutes at a crucial time in its evolution, and play a definitive role in shaping it for the future.
As a Senior Solutions Architect, you will be working with business analysts reviewing requirements and translating them into solution designs. You will be working on multiple and different projects and business domains, collaborating with both technical and business stakeholders from across the organisation.
If you have a background as a developer and experience developing programming concepts, working with CI/CD pipelines and coding best practices, as well as cloud ecosystems, this may be a great opportunity for you to join the team.
What you will be doing
As a Senior Solution Architect at the Crick, you will:

• Translate solution requirements into high level end-to-end solution designs across delivery projects.
• Create compliant and robust solution architectures aligned with business and legal requirements, as well as policy.
• Support architectural reviews and tooling decisions.
• Managing stakeholder relationships - both technical and business.
• Continual optimisation of services, and elimination of technical debt.
• Proposals for introduction of new services, or transformation of existing ones, to meet the strategic objectives of the Crick.
• Support the Development teams to develop, test and operate new enterprise software services.

About you
You will have:

• Degree level education, ideally in Computer Science or related STEM subject (or equivalent experience).
• Experience working on IT/Software projects.
• Experience in designing End to End solutions.
• Demonstrable experience in hands-on software development, with previous experience as a developer.
• Experienced in implementing and working with CI/CD pipelines and best working practices.
• Up to date knowledge of Coding standards and coding best practices.

About Working at the Crick
Our values
Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick's mission and shaping our culture!

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We're not afraid to do things differently.

• We are open. We're highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email:
What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.

• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.

• Health & Well-being:

• 24/7 GP consultation services.

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.

• Work-Life Balance:

• Back-up care for dependents.

• Childcare support allowance.

• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups' support, community and inclusive social events.

• Perks:

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.