AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow – F Rouhani lab

Francis Crick Institute Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sponsorship to work in the UK

28 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing services

Career development & training

Job summary

Francis Crick Institute Ltd in London invites applications for an AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow in the F Rouhani Lab. The role leads cutting-edge computational projects on driver mutation clones and their microenvironment, spanning Crick and Wellcome Sanger Institute.

You will develop state-of-the-art machine learning methods, apply graph neural networks and transformers, and collaborate with computational scientists, clinicians and experimental researchers.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near submission) in computational biology, machine learning, computer science, statistics or related quantitative discipline.
• Proven experience with deep learning or AI/ML methods on complex scientific data.
• Proficient Python programming (NumPy, Pandas, PyTorch and/or JAX).
• Experience analysing spatial or imaging datasets is desirable.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced AI/ML methods for spatial genomics and histology datasets.
• Apply graph neural networks, transformer models and generative AI approaches.
• Integrate spatial transcriptomics, single-cell sequencing and imaging datasets.
• Design benchmarking strategies and reproducible computational workflows.
• Perform clonal reconstruction and spatial mapping analyses from genomic datasets.
• Collaborate with computational scientists, clinicians and experimental researchers across Crick and Sanger Institute.
• Lead publications and conference presentations.

Skills

Python programming

Deep learning / AI/ML

Statistics / computational biology

Communication & collaboration

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Education

PhD (or near submission) in computational biology, machine learning, computer science, statistics or related quantitative discipline

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

NumPy

Pandas

Job description

Salary for this Role: From £47,500, with benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title: AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow – F Rouhani lab

Reports to: Foad Rouhani [C]

Closing Date: 23.59 GMT

Job Description: AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow – F Rouhani Lab

Contract term: This is a full-time, fixed term (4 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Reports to: Foad Rouhani, Group Leader

Salary for this Role: From £47,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

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 have 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 TRCE Lab

The Tissue Regeneration and Clonal Evolution (TRCE) laboratory is a multidisciplinary research group focused on understanding how organs regenerate and how this knowledge can be harnessed to develop future therapies. Using the liver as a model system, the lab combines stem cell biology, spatial genomics, AI/ML, single-cell technologies and computational biology to study how mutant cell populations interact with their surrounding tissue environment during regeneration, ageing and cancer development.

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Fellow to lead a cutting-edge computational project investigating how driver mutation clones interact with their microenvironment in chronic liver disease and liver cancer. This is a highly collaborative and cross-institutional role between the Francis Crick Institute and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Working closely with the Lotfollahi Lab – leaders in generative AI and foundation models for spatial and single-cell genomics – you will develop and apply state-of-the-art machine learning approaches to large-scale spatial genomics and multi-modal biological datasets. The successful candidate will be embedded across both institutes, benefiting from joint supervision, collaborative meetings and access to world-leading expertise, datasets, computational infrastructure and scientific networks. Applicants from machine learning, computer science, statistics, mathematics or related quantitative disciplines are encouraged to apply – prior genomics experience is not essential, and structured training and support will be provided.

What you’ll be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Developing advanced AI/ML methods for analysing spatial genomics and histology datasets.
• Applying graph neural networks, transformer models and generative AI approaches to study clone-microenvironment interactions.
• Integrating spatial transcriptomics, single-cell sequencing and imaging datasets.
• Designing benchmarking strategies and reproducible computational workflows.
• Performing clonal reconstruction and spatial mapping analyses from genomic datasets.
• Collaborating closely with computational scientists, clinicians and experimental researchers across the Crick and Sanger Institute.
• Leading publications, conference presentations and dissemination of research findings.

About you Essential: (Minimum criteria)

• PhD (or near submission) in computational biology, machine learning, computer science, statistics or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience developing and applying deep learning or AI/ML methods to complex scientific datasets.
• Strong programming and scientific computing skills in Python (e.g. numpy, pandas, PyTorch and/or JAX).
• Experience analysing complex biological, imaging or spatial datasets, or strong evidence of rapidly adapting to new data domains.
• Excellent communication, organisational and collaborative working skills.
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and cross‑institutional research teams.

Desirable

• Experience with spatial transcriptomics or single-cell genomics analysis.
• Familiarity with graph neural networks, transformers, generative AI or foundation models.
• Experience working with cloud/HPC environments, workflow orchestration or reproducible computational pipelines.
• Publications or presentations at leading computational biology or machine learning conferences.
• Interest in cancer biology, tissue regeneration or translational genomics.

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.

What will you receive?

• 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.
• Career support: A Post-doc to PI programme and other career development activities.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health. At the Crick, scientists and staff collaborate to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Our work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. The Francis Crick Institute is a charity, founded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King's College London.