Flatiron Research Fellow - Structural and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Computational Biology

Simons Foundation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized housing near office

Job summary

The Center for Computational Biology (CCB), an in-house research center of the Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute, seeks enthusiastic, full-time post-doctoral Flatiron Research Fellows to join its Structural and Molecular Biophysics Group. Start date is flexible, with fellows to begin no later than September 2027.

Applications reviewed Fall 2026 on a rolling basis. Candidates with strong backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, structural biology, computational chemistry, biophysics, or

Qualifications

• PhD in biophysics, applied mathematics, statistics, computational biology, computer science, engineering, mathematical physics, or related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Perform theoretical and computational research.
• Develop, implement and maintain scientific software.
• Participate in seminars, workshops and meetings.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and presentations.
• Share expertise and mentor staff and visitors.

Skills

Applied mathematics

Statistics

Structural biology

Computational chemistry

Biophysics

Computer science

Software development

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Cryo-EM

Molecular dynamics

Machine learning

Job description

TheCenter for Computational Biology (CCB), an in-house research center of the Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute, is actively seeking enthusiastic, full-time post-doctoral Flatiron Research Fellows to join its Structural and Molecular Biophysics Group. The start date is flexible, with the Fellow expected to begin no later than September 2027. Applications will be reviewed beginning in Fall 2026 and considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Candidates with strong backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, structural biology, computational chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or computer science are encouraged to apply, as are those with software development skills related to methods development in cryo-EM, molecular dynamics simulation, or machine learning in the context of computer vision or protein structure prediction.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY:

CCB has a twofold mission: to develop the rigorous modeling tools and theory needed for understanding biological processes, and to create computational frameworks that will facilitate the analysis of the large, complex data sets being generated by experiment. To accomplish this, CCB brings together experts in various biological domains (including genomics, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology) whose approaches are informed by the modern computational tools of applied mathematics, statistical inference, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), biophysics, and computer science. The goal: to enable CCB to undertake ambitious, long-term research projects that transcend conventional disciplinary boundaries and that lead to a quantitative and predictive understanding of biological phenomena; and to develop high-quality, well-tested, versatile and extensible software across its research areas.

CCB currently comprises more than 50 scientists at career stages from PhDs through senior scientists, as well as visiting scientists,guest researchers, affiliated graduate students and interns. Together, the CCB scientific staff are pioneering an approach to biology in which theory, computation, and experiment are integrated, from problem conceptualization onwards. This approach enables CCB to tackle not only recognized, fundamental problems in biology that have so far eluded solution, but also, because of the value placed on curiosity-driven research, to find and develop new areas of biological inquiry.

ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS GROUP:

The Structural and Molecular Biophysics team uses computational tools to study the thermodynamics and kinetics that help elucidate the functional mechanism of biological macromolecules, long timescale molecular simulation, cutting-edge statistical analysis of experimental data, and machine learning tools are used and developed to better capture these processes. Areas of interest include in particular statistical mechanics, membrane protein, protein modeling with flexibility, cryo-electron microscopy, thermodynamics, modeling the effect of mutations, ion channels, and intrinsically disordered proteins.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Flatiron Research Fellows in CCB are individuals at the postdoctoral level with backgrounds in one or more of the following areas: applied mathematics, statistics, computational biology, biophysics, computer science, engineering, mathematical physics, or related disciplines.

Reporting to the Group Lead, Fellows are expected to carry out an active research program that can be independently directed and/or involve substantial collaboration with other members of CCB or the Flatiron Institute. In addition to their research, Fellows help build the rich scientific community at CCB and the Flatiron Institute by participating in seminars, colloquia, and group meetings; developing their software, mathematical and computational expertise through internal education opportunities; and sharing their knowledge through scientific publications, presentations, and/or software releases, with the financial support of the Institute. Fellows have access to the Flatiron Institute’s powerful scientific computing resources.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performing theoretical and computational research
• Developing, implementing and maintaining scientific software
• Participating in the organization of CCB and Flatiron-wide collaborative activities including seminars, workshops and meetings
• Participating in the preparation of manuscripts for publication and of presentations at scientific conferences
• Sharing expertise and providing training and guidance to CCB staff and visitors as needed.

Fellows will be based, and have a principal office or workspace, at the Simons Foundation’s offices in New York City. The initial appointments for Flatiron Research Fellows are generally for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a third year, contingent on performance. FRFs may be eligible for subsidized housing within walking distance of CCB.

The start date is flexible, with the Fellow expected to begin no later than September 2027.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in a relevant field(biophysics, applied mathematics, statistics, computational biology, computer science, engineering, mathematical physics, or related disciplines)

RELATED SKILLS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated abilities in mathematical modeling, analysis and/or scientific computation, scientific software and algorithm development, data analysis and inference, and image analysis
• Ability to do original and outstanding research in computational biology, and expertise in computational methods, data analysis, software and algorithm development, modeling machine learning, and scientific simulation
• Ability to work well in an interdisciplinary environment, and to collaborate with experimentalists
• Strong oral and written communication, data documentation, and presentation skills

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The full-time annual compensation for this position is USD$95,000. In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• past research accomplishments
• the proposed research program
• the synergy of applicant’s expertise and research proposal topic with existing CCB staff and research programs, and potential to cross boundaries between CCB groups and/or the Flatiron Institute’s other research centers.

Any queries about the application process or about CCB should be directed to [e-mail]. Queries about CCB may also be directed to scientific staff at CCB.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Application Materials

The Flatiron Institute values authenticity, originality, and transparency throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants are expected to submit application materials that reflect their own original work, experiences, ideas, writing, and scientific or professional judgment. The use of AI-based tools may be appropriate for limited purposes during the hiring process, such as editing, formatting, or code review. However, application materials, including research statements, cover letters, personal statements, and other writing samples, should not be substantially authored or generated by AI systems.

Applicants are encouraged to disclose any significant or material use of AI tools in the preparation of their application materials or throughout the hiring process. The Flatiron Institute does not use AI-based tools to screen applicants.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways toscienceand mathematicscareers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.