Marie Curie AI for Proteomics PhD Position (Lilley Group) - (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge invites applications for a PhD doctoral position in AI in proteomics within the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network, ProtAIomics, hosted across European labs with collaboration from Oxford. You will develop AI tools for subcellular proteomics data, focusing on probabilistic modelling and Bayesian inference.

The role requires strong programming skills and a background in hierarchical data and complex biological signals, with a keen interest in LC-MS/MS analysis and

Qualifications

• Applicants must be eligible to undertake doctoral studies in the UK.
• Experience with probabilistic or statistical modelling of complex biological data (mass spectrometry, RNA sequencing, imaging).
• Strong programming skills required and ability to build statistical pipelines.
• Interest in Bayesian inference applied to biology and proteomics.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI tools for interrogation of subcellular proteomics data within ProtAIomics.
• Collaborate with European labs and the University of Oxford on cross-disciplinary projects.
• Contribute to pipeline development and data analysis for MSCA network.
• Present results and contribute to publications and conferences.

Skills

Programming

Probabilistic modelling

Bayesian inference

Hierarchical data

Mass spectrometry

Education

Academic degree enabling doctoral studies

Tools

Python

R

Job description

Location:Central Cambridge

We are seeking applications for a PhD position in AI in proteomics as part of the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network, ProtAIomics. This brings together laboratories across Europe with 16 doctoral students at the interface of artificial intelligence and mass spectrometry proteomics. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford, we seek a candidate to develop AI tools for the interrogation of subcellular proteomics data. We are interested to hear from candidates with experience in probabilistic or statistical modelling of complex biological data, such as mass spectrometry data, RNA sequencing, or imaging. The candidate should also have a background in working with hierarchical data and resolving ambiguous, overlapping signals. Strong programming skills are essential, along with the ability to build and extend statistical pipelines. An interest in Bayesian inference applied to biology is also important. A background in computational proteomics or LC-MS/MS analysis, especially peptide/protein identification or signal deconvolution, is desirable.

Role Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment.
• Applicants must hold an academic degree that enables them to undertake doctoral studies.
• Applicants must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until from 9th November 2026, until 30th September 2029, in the first instance.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Kathryn Lilley (https://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/research/lilley) via [e-mail]

For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Biochemistry HR Team via: [e-mail]

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.