Applied Research Scientist, AI (Protein Engineering/Design Focus)

InstaDeep; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI company in Greater London is seeking an Applied Research Scientist to enhance biological AI models in research and practical applications. Applicants need a PhD in Structural Biology or a related field and robust programming abilities in Python, ideally with deep learning experience using PyTorch. The role involves designing experiments, advancing research, and high-quality dataset management, providing a collaborative environment in a hybrid model.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in relevant scientific field.
• Proficiency in Python programming.
• Experience using deep learning for biological applications.

Responsibilities

• Advance the state of the art in AI and biological sciences.
• Design and evaluate proof-of-concept methods.
• Create high-quality datasets for biological models.

Skills

Strong programming skills in Python

Experience with deep learning frameworks (PyTorch)

Understanding of molecular biology principles

Experience with classical computational biology tools

Education

PhD in Structural Biology, AI, or related field

Tools

Deep learning frameworks

Job description

InstaDeep, founded in 2014, is a pioneering AI company at the forefront of innovation. With strategic offices in major cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Berlin, Tunis, Kigali, Cape Town, New York, and San Francisco, InstaDeep collaborates with giants like Google DeepMind and prestigious educational institutions like MIT, Stanford, Oxford, UCL, and Imperial College London. We are a Google Cloud Partner and a select NVIDIA Elite Service Delivery Partner. We have been listed among notable players in AI, fast-growing companies, and Europe's 1000 fastest-growing companies in 2022 by Statista and the Financial Times. Our recent acquisition by BioNTech has further solidified our commitment to leading the industry.

Join us to be a part of the AI revolution!

We are seeking Applied Research Scientists with expertise in protein engineering, de novo protein design or structural biology to join our world-class, multi-disciplinary team. This role sits at the intersection of deep scientific research and practical product development, aimed at building cutting-edge biological AI models and deploying them to researchers advancing the life sciences. Applied Research Scientists at InstaDeep leverage their deep expertise in scientific principles, artificial intelligence, and computational biology to create more accurate, efficient, and scalable tools that enhance our understanding of biology and accelerate the development of medical treatments, including RNA therapeutics. This position demands close collaboration across AI research, biology, engineering, and business teams, as well as with strategic partners like BioNTech. Success in this role requires a passion for bridging the gap between theoretical innovation and real-world application, and the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and cross‑functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Advance the state of the art in AI and/or biological sciences, particularly in areas such as structural biology, protein engineering, and de novo design.
• Design, implement, and evaluate proof‑of‑concept methods and benchmarking experiments using state‑of‑the‑art approaches.
• Leverage both classical computational biology tools and modern deep learning approaches for tasks such as protein design, sequence optimization, and molecular modeling. Enhance the understanding of AI model behavior in biological applications by contributing to interpretability and performance analysis.
• Create, curate, and manage high‑quality datasets essential for training and evaluating multimodal biological models.
• Contribute to and help shape the long‑term research for AI‑driven biological discovery and therapeutics.
• Drive foundational research efforts for the company’s biological AI models, including leading projects related to protein‑focused foundation models.

Requirements

• PhD in Structural Biology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, or a related scientific field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong programming skills, especially in Python, with hands‑on experience using deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or similar libraries.
• Proven experience applying classical and deep learning algorithms to biological problems, ideally in domains such as structural biology, protein modeling, or drug discovery.
• Strong foundation in biology, biochemistry, and/or biophysics, with a clear understanding of molecular biology principles and the structure‑function relationships of biological macromolecules.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute computational experiments, and to analyze, interpret, and clearly communicate results.

£70,000 - £90,000 a year

Outstanding candidates may be considered for appointment at the Senior Applied Research Scientist level.

Our commitment to our people

We empower individuals to celebrate their uniqueness here at InstaDeep. Our team comes from all walks of life, and we’re proud to continue encouraging and supporting applicants from underrepresented groups across the globe. Our commitment to creating an authentic environment comes from our ability to learn and grow from our diversity, and how better to experience this than by joining our team? We operate on a hybrid work model with guidance to work at the office 3 days per week to encourage close collaboration and innovation. We are continuing to review the situation with the well‑being of InstaDeepers at the forefront of our minds.

Right to work

Please note that you will require the legal right to work without visa sponsorship in the location you are applying for. We do not sponsor work visas.