Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Mechanistic Modelling for Rare Disease Digital Twins

Earlham Institute; Norwich; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Earlham Institute in Norwich, UK, invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Scientist (SC6) to lead mechanistic systems biology modelling within a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative collaboration on open-source Digital Twins for rare diseases.

You will develop executable models, adapt literature-based networks and use AI/ML to create hybrid methods, with opportunities to expand into other modelling paradigms and multi-omics integration.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative discipline.
• Strong experience in mechanistic modelling of biological systems.
• Experience with dynamical models is essential.
• Experience with omics, machine learning, BioModels/community standards or additional modelling paradigms would be advantageous.
• Strong scientific programming skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanistic systems biology modelling component of the project, developing executable models and reusable Digital Twin models.
• Collaborate with AI/ML researchers to develop hybrid mechanistic-AI methods and personalise models using multi-omics data.
• Perform in-silico perturbations, quantify uncertainty and validate model predictions.
• Contribute to reusable open-source Digital Twin software and reproducible model dissemination.

Skills

Mechanistic modelling

Dynamical modelling

Scientific programming

AI/ML integration

Omics experience

Machine learning

BioModels/community standards

Education

PhD in a relevant quantitative discipline

Job description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist (SC6) to join the Sheriff Group that develops AI-integrated Digital Twins in the Research Faculty of the Earlham Institute, Norwich, UK.

Background:

The post is part of a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative-funded collaboration developing open-source Digital Twins for rare diseases. Rare-disease Digital Twins in this programme are purpose-built hybrid computational models that combine mechanistic models, AI/ML and patient-derived multi-omics data to simulate disease-relevant biological processes and perturbations. The program is co-lead by Dr Rahuman Sheriff, Ellen McDonagh (Open Targets/EMBL-EBI) and Evangelia Petsalaki (EMBL-EBI), involving close collaboration across their teams. The postholder will closely collaborate across their teams.

The role:

You will lead the mechanistic systems biology modelling component of project, developing executable models and reusable Digital Twin models by adapting relevant models from BioModels, Reactome and the literature and constructing de novo models from disease- and phenotype-specific networks. ODE/dynamical modelling will form the core of the role, with opportunities to use other mechanistic frameworks including stochastic, logical, constraint-based and agent-based modelling where appropriate.

A major focus will be integration with AI/ML. You will work closely with computational biology and AI/ML researchers to develop hybrid mechanistic-AI methods, personalise models using multi-omics data, perform in-silico perturbations, quantify uncertainty and validate model predictions. You will also contribute to reusable open-source Digital Twin software and reproducible model dissemination.

Ideal candidate:

You will have a PhD in a relevant quantitative discipline, strong experience in mechanistic modelling of biological systems, and strong scientific programming skills. Experience with dynamical models is essential; experience with omics, machine learning, BioModels/community standards or additional modelling paradigms would be advantageous.

Additional information:

This is a full-time post for a contract of 2 years, with the possibility for extension depending on funding.

Salary on appointment will be within the range £39,000 to £46,500 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience. A starting salary of £40,100 is guaranteed for candidates who can evidence their PhD certificate at appointment; those awaiting confirmation of their PhD award will be appointed at £39,000 until evidence is provided.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 6 December 2026.