Machine Learning Scientist (KTP Associate) in AI-Driven Peptide Design

Queen Mary University of London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days leave per annum

Season ticket loan

Generous pension scheme

Job summary

Queen Mary University of London is seeking a skilled Machine Learning Scientist (KTP Associate) to work on AI-driven peptide design in collaboration with AstraZeneca. The post is based at the AstraZeneca Discovery Centre in Cambridge, with QMUL employing the postholder and facilitating engagement at AstraZeneca.

The role focuses on building an advanced AI platform to generate novel peptide sequences, predict key properties, and learn structure–property relationships from large-scale data, with

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology/chemistry, AI) is required or near completion.
• Interest in biological sequence modelling and therapeutic design is essential.
• Strong research track record and ability to work in cross-institutional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and advance an AI-driven peptide design platform.
• Collaborate with AstraZeneca and Queen Mary University teams on project milestones.
• Travel to DERI periodically for research and training as required.

Skills

Machine Learning

AI

Education

PhD in Computer Science

PhD in Bioinformatics

PhD in Computational Biology

Job description

About the Role

We are looking to appoint a skilled Machine Learning Scientist (KTP Associate) in AI-Driven Peptide Design. This is an exceptional opportunity to work as a KTP Associate in collaboration between AstraZeneca and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a collaborative program encouraging innovation by connecting businesses and universities, co-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, and the participating company.

The position is a joint initiative between Queen Mary University of London, and AstraZeneca, with the successful candidate based in the AstraZeneca Discovery Centre in Cambridge, a world-class R&D facility accommodating over 2,200 research scientists. You will be an employee of Queen Mary University of London and given access rights to facilitate your engagement at AstraZeneca. The postholder will be expected to travel to DERI periodically for research and training.

The project aims to establish an advanced AI platform capable of:

• Generating novel peptide sequences with desired biological and biophysical properties.
• Predicting key peptide characteristics including affinity, stability, permeability and developability.
• Learning structure-property relationships from large-scale experimental and computational datasets.

About You

The ideal candidate will have, or be near completing, a PhD in computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology/chemistry, artificial intelligence or a related discipline, with an interest in biological sequence modelling and therapeutic design.

About the Institute

The Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI) is Queen Mary’s University Research Institute created as part of the University’s ambitious Strategy 2030. DERI is dedicated to ground-breaking research in digital and data science, including artificial intelligence (AI), and offers an outstanding research environment including a dedicated physical space along with dedicated high performance computing infrastructure to enable scientific breakthroughs. DERI also leads the University’s participation in The Alan Turing Institute, the UK national institute for data science and AI. By tackling grand challenges, DERI will have impact in academia, government, industry and more broadly, society.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply 'the right thing to do' but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, campus facilities and flexible working arrangements.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Valuing Diversity & Committed to Equality