Postdoctoral Fellow- Computational Biology and Machine Learning

Karlstad University; Hinxton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Hinxton is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Biology and Machine Learning to lead pioneering projects integrating AI and genomics. The successful candidate will work on multiple research focuses, including generative AI for cell fate and the development of foundational models for single-cell biology. Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field and have a strong background in machine learning techniques, single-cell omics, and programming in Python. This role offers unique datasets and collaboration opportunities.

Benefits

Access to unique in-house datasets

Opportunities for collaborative publications

Strong mentorship culture

Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver research projects
• Experience with single-cell omics or large-scale biological data integration
• Ability to communicate ideas effectively to various audiences

Responsibilities

• Lead transformative projects integrating single-cell genomics and AI
• Develop generative models to predict cell fate and tissue responses
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and external partners

Skills

Machine learning

Single-cell omics

Spatial transcriptomics

Python programming

Statistical techniques

Education

PhD in a relevant subject area

Tools

Scikit-Learn

SciPy

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow- Computational Biology and Machine Learning

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.

We are hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow/Senior Postdoctoral Fellow to join our interdisciplinary team at the forefront of computational biology and AI for a 3 year fixed term contract. You will contribute to (lead - Senior Postdoctoral Fellow) transformative projects that integrate single‑cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and generative AI to build next‑generation models for understanding tissue biology and cellular dynamics across organs such as the pancreas, kidney, skin, and liver.

We welcome applicants from diverse technical and scientific backgrounds — from those interested in fundamental questions in biology and medicine, to those focused on ML/AI method development. We are particularly excited to work with individuals who are passionate about biology, foundation model development, modelling cellular perturbation responses, predicting patient behaviours, and analysing multi‑modal biological data.

Available Research Focus Areas

• 1. Spatial & Multi‑omics Atlas Construction Build large‑scale spatial and single‑cell atlases across diseased tissues (pancreas, kidney, skin, liver) using spatial transcriptomics, scRNA‑seq, and multiome data in collaboration with leading Sanger groups.
• 2. Generative AI for Cell Fate & Perturbations Develop diffusion, flow‑matching, and transformer‑based generative models to predict cell fate, tissue remodelling, and drug or perturbation responses in silico.
• 3. Foundational Models for Single‑Cell Biology Train large, generalisable deep models across public and internal datasets to support the Human Cell Atlas and broad Sanger research programmes.
• 4. Open Targets Translational AI Projects Apply foundational and multi‑omics models to real‑world challenges in drug discovery, target identification, and target safety in collaboration with major pharma partners.
• 5. Agentic AI for Scientific Reasoning & Experiment Design (new) Develop AI agents capable of hypothesis generation, experiment planning, and multi‑step scientific workflows using reinforcement learning and tool‑use models.
• 6. Core Machine Learning Research Advance fundamental ML methods—including advanced generative modelling, scalable training algorithms, representation learning, and uncertainty modelling—tailored for biological data.
• 7. Multimodal Learning (Imaging + Genomics + Clinical Data) Create models that integrate histopathology imaging, spatial proteomics, single‑cell genomics, and patient‑level clinical data to learn unified biological and clinical representations.
• 8. Leap Project We are interested in developing large‑scale AI models to stratify patients using diverse multi‑omics data, with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, particularly in women’s health.

The Open Targets (OT) research programme generates and analyses data to connect targets to diseases, assess the strength of this evidence, and help identify and prioritise targets for drug discovery. This includes evidence that causally links targets and diseases, as well as foundational data that helps us understand biological processes and disease progression more deeply.

About Us

You will join the Lotfollahi Group, an interdisciplinary team of ML researchers, computational biologists, clinicians and experimentalists. Our mission is to develop data‑driven and biologically grounded AI tools for decoding complex cellular systems. We collaborate closely with the Human Cell Atlas, Sanger's single‑cell programmes, and international leaders in the field.

Key Publications and References

• Akbar Nejat et al., Mapping and reprogramming human tissue microenvironments with MintFlow (bioRxiv, 2025)
• Birk et al., Quantitative characterization of cell niches in spatially resolved omics data, Nature Genetics (2025)
• Jeong et al., SIGMMA: Hierarchical Graph‑Based Multi‑Scale Multi‑modal Contrastive Alignment of Histopathology Image and Spatial Transcriptome (arXiv, 2025)
• Sanian et al., 3D‑Guided Scalable Flow Matching for Generating Volumetric Tissue Spatial Transcriptomics from Serial Histology (arXiv, 2025)

What We Offer

• Access to unique in‑house datasets and world‑class computational infrastructure
• Opportunities to co‑lead publications and present at ML and genomics conferences
• Collaborative and inclusive environment with strong mentorship culture

We are looking for enthusiastic researchers with a strong computational or quantitative background.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant subject area, or on track to be awarded your PhD within 6 months of starting the role
• Proven ability to deliver research projects
• A track record of demonstrating research excellence and expertise in your area of research
• Experience in advanced statistical techniques, machine learning and modern deep learning techniques
• Experience with single‑cell omics, spatial transcriptomics, or large‑scale biological data integration
• Knowledge of Python, including core data science libraries such as Scikit‑Learn, SciPy, TensorFlow and PyTorch
• Knowledge of software development good practices and collaboration tools, including git‑based version control, python package management and code
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge
• Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated
• Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and results and present orally to groups
• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills
• Ability to prioritise, multi‑task and work independently
• Detail‑oriented, strong organisational and problem‑solving skills

Additional Skills for Senior Postdoctoral Fellow

• Strong knowledge of Python, including core data science libraries such as Scikit‑Learn, SciPy, TensorFlow and PyTorch
• Proven experience using advanced statistical techniques, machine learning and modern deep learning techniques
• Proven ability to work independently and deliver research projects
• Relevant solid publication record in either machine learning or application of machine learning in biology
• Strong influencing skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders
• Critical and analytic thinking around problems
• Demonstrable good time management and project management skills

Application Process

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your research experience, interest in the focus area(s), and future aspirations.

Closing Date

1st February 2026

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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 the following staff networks: LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

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 are able to 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.

Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton Saffron Walden, United Kingdom