Software Engineer (Machine Learning)

Francis Crick Institute Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing

Work-life balance

On-site restaurant discounts

Job summary

The Francis Crick Institute is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to join the Software Engineering and AI team. You will help develop ML solutions that accelerate scientific discovery and support institute-wide applications and services.

You will collaborate with researchers and engineers to implement and deploy robust projects across biology-focused challenges. We expect strong Python, ML theory, reproducibility, and practical engineering skills, plus experience with containers and HPC

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering fundamentals in Python.
• Excellent understanding of machine learning theory and related mathematical principles.
• Understanding of reproducibility and distribution of scientific software.
• Evidence of solid software engineering practices.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Experience with containerised environments (Docker, Apptainer).
• Experience running code on HPC clusters or cloud environments.
• Experience with LLM/agentic frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, DeerFlow, Haystack).
• Experience developing agents, skills, tools, or MCPs.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-quality, maintainable software to meet project needs.
• Collaborate with scientists and facilities and external partners.
• Collaborate within the team through peer review and co-development.
• Assist in planning projects with feasibility assessments and estimates.
• Take projects through lifecycle from engagement to delivery and maintenance.
• Stay current in the field and share knowledge across the team.

Skills

Python programming

Machine learning theory

Reproducible software

Software engineering practice

Communication skills

Containerised environments

High-performance computing

LLM/agentic frameworks

Agents, skills, tools design

Tools

Docker

Apptainer

Job description

Salary for this Role: From £55,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience. Job Title: Software Engineer (Machine Learning) Reports to: Amy Strange Closing Date: 04/Oct/2026 23.59 GMT

Job Title: Software Engineer (Machine Learning) Details of the role: Working pattern: This is full time permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment. Salary: From £55,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience Application closing date: 4th of October 2026 at 23.59

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

We are recruiting for a knowledgeable Machine Learning Engineer to join the Software Engineering and AI team at the Francis Crick Institute. Working closely with researchers and technical specialists, you will help develop innovative machine learning solutions that accelerate scientific discovery, while also contributing to the development and support of institute wide applications and services. As part of a collaborative team of engineers, you will apply your expertise to design, implement and deploy solutions to complex biological challenges and play a key role in supporting and advancing world leading scientific research

What you will be doing

• Design and develop high-quality, maintainable software to meet project needs and deadlines (including the interpretation of project requirements and technical specifications across multiple research and operational domains)
• Collaborate effectively with internal scientists and core facilities as well as external partners, building solid working relationships across the institute and beyond
• Collaborate within the team through peer review and co-development, maintaining quality standards
• Assist in the planning of projects by assessing feasibility, prototyping, and providing time and resource estimates
• Take a project through its lifecycle, through user engagement, scoping, prototyping, planning, delivery, and maintenance
• Stay current in the field, and share knowledge/ideas across the team

Please see full job description here

About you

• Strong software engineering fundamentals in Python*
• Excellent understanding of machine learning theory and related mathematical principles
• An understanding of reproducibility, repeatability and replicability for scientific software and experience of building and distributing reproducible software
• Evidence of understanding good software engineering practice
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels and the ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience*
• Experience with containerised environments (Docker, Apptainer etc.)*
• Experience running code on high-performance computing clusters (or equivalent cloud environment)
• Experience with LLM/agentic frameworks (such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, DeerFlow, Haystack, or others)*
• Experience developing and evaluating agents, skills, tools, or MCPs
• Minimum criteria*

About Working at the Crick

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture. We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post)please email: [e-mail] Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive?

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services. Occupational health services and mental health support programs. Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents. Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options. Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received. The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health. At the Crick, scientists and staff collaborate to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Our work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. The Francis Crick Institute is a charity, founded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.