Staff Scientist

EMBL-EBI - European Bioinformatics Institute; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 4,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bioinformatics institute in the UK seeks a Staff Scientist to co-run the Birney Research Group, focusing on genomics and AI. The role involves leading research teams, managing budgets, and contributing to cutting-edge scientific projects. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years in genomics or AI, strong leadership capabilities, and be fluent in English.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Private medical insurance

Generous parental leave

Relocation package

On-site nursery

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in relevant fields.
• Ability to oversee a research team.
• Experience with machine learning and AI is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Pre and Postdoctoral Fellows.
• Oversee research activities and problem-solve technical issues.
• Manage group budget and performance for Postdoctoral Fellows.

Skills

Experience in genomics, genetics or AI

Good interpersonal skills

Scientific data management experience

Proficiency in Python or another programming language

Fluency in English

Job description

Organisation/Company EMBL-EBI - European Bioinformatics Institute Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Technology » Biotechnology Computer science Mathematics Mathematics » Statistics Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 4 Nov 2025 - 21:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Staff Scientist
EMBL-EBI - European Bioinformatics Institute
Hinxton, United Kingdom
About EMBL-EBI

EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute is a data powerhouse, utilised on a global scale to advance scientific discovery through bioinformatics and solutions to some of the world’s most critical issues - infectious diseases, food insecurity, and loss of biodiversity.

Based at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton, UK you’ll join over 700 scientists, technical and professional services experts working passionately to support EMBL’s mission.

Ewan Birney is an award-winning scientist with a deep commitment to making the information encoded in the human genome accessible to all. His distinguished career spans leadership of the renowned Birney research group and more than a decade as Director of EMBL-EBI (European Bioinformatics Institute). For the past five years, Ewan has served as EMBL’s Deputy Director General and now holds the position of Interim Executive Director. In this role, he co-leads the Laboratory alongside Professor Peer Bork, driving forward the ambitious ‘Molecules to Ecosystems ’ programme and delivering on EMBL’s strategic vision and priorities.

Your group

As Staff Scientist you will co-run the Birney Research Group alongside Ewan Birney. The Birney research group focuses on a broad range of genomics, genetic algorithms and analytical methods, including many machine learning and AI schemes. Recent work includes new genetic discoveries (Currant et al Plos Genetics 2023 ) and AI techniques for modelling healthcare (Shmatko etal Nature 2025 ).

Your role

Leading a team of talented Pre and Postdoctoral Fellows, you will oversee their day-to-day research activities providing mentorship and guidance, and actively step in where needed, to support problem solving and technical issues.

Additionally, as a lead within the group, you’ll co-manage the annual budget and financial planning processes, technical hiring and the group’s performance management for Postdoctoral Fellows. As a Staff Scientist you will also have the opportunity to pursue your own research interests in line with the group’s direction.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Provide oversight for the Birney Research group in both managerial and technical aspect;
• Provide a framework for the data and administrative aspects;
• Lead aspects of the research programme directly;
• Have direct line management of the Fellows in the group;
• Support Ewan Birney in PhD student management. The students will be supervised by Ewan Birney but the staff scientists should be available for technical problem solving;
• Representing the group for both internal and external meetings as applicable;
• There is an expectation of at least 3 days a week in person presence, and 5 days a week online presence.

You have

• 5 years experience or more in the fields of genomics, genetics or AI;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Good scientific data management experience;
• Python or another programming language;
• Fluency in English.

You may also have

• Experience in working in multi-cultural setting;
• Proficiencies in other European languages other than English;
• Experience in AI and machine learning.

Contract length: 3 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years
Salary: Grade 8, monthly salary from £4,825.25 after tax, plus financial allowances based on family circumstances. Excluding personal pension contributions and insurance.

Why join us

Do something meaningful:

At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.

Join a culture of innovation

We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential. Watch this video to see how EMBL-EBI makes an impact.

Enjoy lots of benefits

• Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances;
• Flexible working arrangements - including hybrid working patterns;
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover);
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays;
• Relocation package including installation grant (if required);
• Campus: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely);
• Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances;
• Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here .

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Please take a look at our International Applicants page for further information;
• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here ;
• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities;
• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.