AI/ML for Biology - 4 tenure-track assistant professor positions

Duke University - Biochemistry & Cell Biology; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Startup packages

Joint appointments

Discovery AI Core

Translational opportunities

Job summary

Duke University invites applications for a cluster of four tenure-track faculty positions in deep neural networks for biology. Successful candidates will develop, interpret, and apply AI algorithms across biochemistry, neuroscience, cancer biology, and related areas at Duke.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in computer science or relevant biomedical fields, with a track record of creativity and productivity and a desire to build a funded research program.

Qualifications

• PhD in computer science or biomedical field relevant to AI for biology.
• Track record of creativity and productivity in research.
• Ability to build an innovative research program and secure external funding.
• Experience mentoring graduate students and postdocs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply AI/ML models for biology.
• Mount a productive and innovative research program.
• Secure external funding for research.
• Mentor graduate students and postdocs and participate in training programs.

Skills

AI research

Biology knowledge

Interpreting ML models

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in computer science or biomedical field

Job description

The Duke University Discovery AI Initiative and the Departments of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Integrative Immunobiology, Neurobiology, and Pharmacology & Cancer Biology jointly invite applications for a cluster of four tenure-track faculty positionsin deep neural networks for biology. Successful candidates will have a strong interest in developing, interpreting, and applying new AI algorithms and models, motivated by biological research in biochemistry, drug design, immunobiology, neuroscience, and cancer biology. Example application areas include generative models for protein/enzyme design, drug discovery, foundation models of neural activity and virtual cells, drug-target interactions, biomarker discovery, or other AI/ML approaches for spatial, multi-omic, genomic, and proteomic datasets, biological imaging, or multiscale modeling. Particular attractions of these positions include:

• generous startup packages and benefits
• joining other world-leading faculty in these areas who are also part of this cluster hire or are already here in Discovery AI
• potential joint or secondary appointments with other departments such as Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Computer Science
• a new Discovery AI Protein Design and Biophysics Core
• and outstanding data and translational opportunities across Duke University

Duke has an exceptional history in biomedical research innovation, including in data science and AI.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in computer science or in biomedical research fields relevant to this search. Successful candidates will have a track record of creativity and productivity and a desire to integrate into our exciting, collaborative, and growing AI-Bio community. They will be expected to mount a productive and innovative research program, secure external funding, and participate actively in graduate and postgraduate training and mentorship. The application package should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a one-page statement of research (organized as a one-page summary of past research accomplishments and a two-page summary of future research plans), a one-page statement of mentoring philosophy, and three letters of recommendation. Include in your cover letter any preference for specific departments most aligned with your research interests. All applications should be submitted through: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32313.

Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that Duke will specifically seek information about past misconduct or policy violations (in the past ten (10) years) and/or relevant pending investigations as part of the application process. Disclosures will not be an automatic bar to hiring but, instead, will initiate further dialogue regarding past actions and steps taken to address them. Disclosures will not be shared with search committees during the application review process.

Important Dates:

Review of applications will begin October 1, 2026, but we will continue accepting applications through November 1, 2026. Top candidates will be invited to a symposium held between December 15-17, 2026 to present their research and future plans.