Group Leaders- Human Genetics and Disease Prediction

Karlstad University; Saffron Walden; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading genomics research institute in the UK is seeking Group Leaders to join their Human Genetics Programme. The ideal candidates will have expertise in human genetics and multi-omics, along with experience in predictive modeling and statistical methods. Positions are available across three faculty levels, supported by substantial core funding. The work environment emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity, aiming to address major health challenges through innovative research. This role offers a competitive salary and a flexible working arrangement.

Benefits

Generous benefits and relocation support

Flexible working options

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Experience in human genetics, genomics, or clinical informatics.
• Strong commitment to collaboration across diverse backgrounds.
• Expertise in longitudinal study design and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to develop predictive models for health and disease.
• Mentor team members in a collaborative environment.
• Drive large-scale discovery and research strategies.

Skills

Human genetics and multi-omics for complex traits and diseases

Causal inference and statistical methods

Development of AI/ML predictive modelling methods

Education

PhD or equivalent in a relevant field

Tools

High-throughput science platforms

Data platforms for multi-omic analysis

Job description

Group Leaders – Human Genetics and Disease Prediction

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life‑changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Join the Frontier of Human Genomics and Disease Prediction

Become a Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute

At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, we’re rethinking how human data can be used to understand, predict and ultimately change the course of disease. We’re hiring Group Leaders to join our Human Genetics Programme where large‑scale cohorts, longitudinal multi‑omics and patient data come together to power predictive models of health and disease.

About the Programme

Our mission is bold: to generate the datasets, build the predictive models and develop the causal understanding needed to predict, prevent and treat human disease. We design and generate large‑scale, longitudinal multi‑omic resources, tightly linked to detailed patient data, and use these to understand how genetic and environmental variation shape molecular states, trajectories and outcomes. We will use AI, machine learning, and robust causal inference methods to turn that understanding into better risk prediction, diagnosis and treatment, deriving openly accessible predictive models that are generalisable and transferable between populations and clinical contexts.

The programme offers sustained core funding, large‑scale technology and informatics platforms and a genuinely collaborative, supportive working environment in the Cambridge–London science hub. If you’re excited by our ambitious mission and want to make a bold, personal contribution to it in an environment that values diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration, we want to hear from you.

Who We’re Looking For:

We welcome applications from researchers with backgrounds in clinical medicine, human genetics, genomics and multi‑omics, epidemiology, statistics, computer science, clinical informatics and AI/ML. We are keen to hear from both clinician scientists and non‑clinical/basic scientists. We do not expect any individual to span all of the areas below; we are looking for depth and originality in one or more of them, together with a strong commitment to collaboration.

You might, for example, have expertise in:

• Human genetics and multi‑omics for complex traits and diseases.
• Epidemiology and longitudinal cohort design and analysis.
• Electronic health records and real‑world data science, including phenotyping and data linkage.
• Causal inference and statistical methods for target and biomarker prioritisation.
• Development and application of AI/ML and predictive modelling methods using multi‑omic and clinical data.
• Methods and resources for diverse and under‑represented populations, improving equity and generalisability of prediction
• Statistical and computational methods, data platforms and standards that make large‑scale multi‑omic and clinical data, and the resulting models, robust and widely usable.

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is located in the centre of the largest scientific and startup cluster in Europe and combines the scientific innovation of Cambridge with the business and cultural ambition of London. We care about the long‑term translation and impact of our research.

We welcome applicants from all career stages, including those from clinical, industry, or non‑traditional career paths. We particularly encourage applications from women and individuals from under‑represented backgrounds. We believe our science is enriched by a diversity of perspectives and experiences.

The Role: Faculty with vision, long‑term funding and scientific freedom.

We are recruiting Group Leaders across all our Faculty levels. Our Group Leader positions offer access to substantial core funding, including a competitive salary and continuous internal funding that enables the pursuit of ambitious, large‑scale research.

Faculty at the Institute are supported by outstanding scientific, technical, and operational teams, allowing them to focus on impactful research and leadership. You will have the opportunity to mentor and develop a team within a supportive and collegial environment where collaboration, well‑being, and inclusion are prioritised.

The institute appoints faculty at three levels:

• Group Leader 1 (GL1): Your first or second group leader role (equivalent to Assistant Professor US / Lecturer UK). Eight‑year post, core funded beyond a typical ERC or R01 grant with additional access to funds for large strategic projects. Launch your vision with the freedom to innovate at scale.
• Group Leader 2 (GL2): Mid‑career (Associate Professor). Lead a growing core‑funded team, shape programme strategy, and drive large‑scale discovery. Six‑year post with review in year six.
• Group Leader 3 (GL3): Senior leadership role (Full Professor) helping to shape Sanger’s long‑term research strategy. Ongoing tenure with six‑year rolling reviews. Global research leaders are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Us?

• Substantial, Sustained Core Funding: Focus on the science that matters — not grant cycles. Launch long‑term, high‑impact research.
• Scale + Technology: Unmatched access to high‑throughput science platforms, Scientific Operations, and Informatics infrastructure.
• A Truly Collaborative Culture: Work side‑by‑side with leading genomics experts in an environment built for cooperation, discovery and translational impact.
• A Supportive, Inclusive, and Flexible Workplace: Relocation and visa support, mentorship, flexible working, family‑friendly policies, and a campus dedicated to well‑being and scientific excellence.
• A Global Science Hub: Benefit from the dynamic, high‑impact innovation landscape of Cambridge and London.

Our faculty and employees benefit from flexible working options, family friendly policies, generous benefits, and comprehensive relocation support.

Your application should include:

• A CV and a full publication list
• Your scientific and leadership achievements to date
• Your contribution to the wider research community and society, you may wish to include diversity and inclusion initiatives and public engagement events
• A three‑page outline of your future research plans indicating how these fit with the Human Genetics Programme, and the wider Institute. This should include how access to genomics at scale would transform your science. Please include a short abstract at the start of this document (no more than 250 words) summarising your plans.
• Please upload all documentation with your application

Your application will be reviewed and considered across GL1, GL2 and GL3 faculty levels focusing on your scientific achievement, experience, and personal suitability in line with our core behavioural competencies; collaboration, communication, leadership, integrity, results‑driven, and innovation.

Interview Process:

• Scientific Talks (past and future research)
• Panel Interview based on leadership, collaboration, and core behavioural competencies and values
• Stakeholder 1:1s with Group Leaders and Programme leads

We understand balancing career opportunities with personal commitments can be challenging, and our process is designed to be flexible and supportive.

Ready to Change How We Predict and Prevent Human Disease?

Join us at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and help build the next generation of human genetic and longitudinal multi‑omic resources and predictive models, in an environment where your science, your judgement and your career are supported and valued.

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work‑life balance, with more focused time, and the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with staff networks for LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity providing support and development opportunities. These networks also give allies a space for support.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus‑wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work‑related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative in March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake groundbreaking scientific research. Our reliable in‑house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We can provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.

We are a world‑leading genomics research institute. Our work helps improve human health and understand life on Earth.