Research Fellow In Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning For Scientific Discovery

The University Of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Leave 29 days

EV car scheme

Job summary

The University of Manchester's Chica Research Group, based within the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and the Department of Chemistry, seeks an outstanding researcher to advance AI-enabled protein engineering and enzyme design. You will develop data-driven approaches and collaborate across computational and experimental teams to accelerate scientific discovery.

The role offers concrete opportunities to innovate methodologically, analyze complex datasets, and contribute to publications,

Qualifications

• Outstanding researcher with expertise in AI/ML or quantitative disciplines.
• Experience analyzing large biological, chemical, or experimental datasets.
• Ability to develop predictive models and computational tools.

Responsibilities

• Developing and applying machine-learning approaches to protein engineering and enzyme design.
• Analyzing, integrating, and modelling large biological, chemical, and experimental datasets.
• Designing, implementing, training, and evaluating predictive machine-learning models.
• Developing software, workflows, and methodologies for data-driven discovery.
• Providing guidance and training in ML, data science, and AI across the group.
• Collaborating with researchers from diverse backgrounds to apply AI to scientific challenges.
• Working with postdocs, students, and team members on computational and experimental projects.
• Contributing to publications, conference talks, and funding applications.
• Maintaining high standards of software development and reproducible research.
• Supporting strategic development of the group's computational and AI research activities.

Skills

AI/ML

Data science

Statistics

Computer science

Interdisciplinary

Job description

The Chica Research Group, based within the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manchester, develops computational and experimental approaches for protein engineering and enzyme design.

We are seeking an outstanding researcher with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, or a related quantitative discipline to join our highly interdisciplinary research environment.

The successful candidate will work closely with computational and experimental researchers to develop and apply modern data-driven approaches to challenges in biomolecular design and engineering. Prior experience in chemistry, biology, or protein science is advantageous but not required.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation computational approaches for scientific discovery while helping to expand AI and machine-learning capabilities within the research group.

Overall Purpose of the Job

The postholder will develop and apply machine-learning and artificial-intelligence approaches to challenges in protein engineering and enzyme design.

Working closely with researchers across the group, the successful candidate will analyse complex biological, chemical, and experimental datasets; develop predictive models and computational tools; and identify opportunities where machine learning and artificial intelligence can accelerate scientific discovery.

The role offers substantial scope for methodological innovation and provides an opportunity to contribute to the future development of AI-enabled research within the group.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing and applying machine-learning approaches to challenges in protein engineering and enzyme design.
• Analysing, integrating, and modelling large biological, chemical, and experimental datasets.
• Designing, implementing, training, and evaluating predictive machine-learning models.
• Developing computational tools, workflows, software, and methodologies that support data-driven scientific discovery and expand the group's computational capabilities.
• Providing specialist expertise, guidance, training, and support in machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence across the research group.
• Collaborating with researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds to identify and address scientific challenges using AI and machine-learning approaches.
• Working closely with postdoctoral researchers, postgraduate students, and other team members on computational and experimental projects.
• Contributing to collaborative research projects, publications, conference presentations, and funding applications.
• Maintaining high standards of software development, documentation, and reproducible research.
• Contributing to the strategic development of the group's computational and AI research activities.
• Keeping abreast of developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and scientific computing.

We are particularly interested in applicants who:

• Enjoy working in highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments.
• Are motivated to develop innovative computational approaches to scientific challenges.
• Are enthusiastic about learning new technologies and methods and applying them to frontier research problems.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

£48,337 to £59,390 per annum depending on experience