Research Team Lead

EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking talented and highly-motivated scientists to join its Faculty to develop their own independent research group. We welcome applicants from across the whole field of computational biology, in particular working at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology. Women, who are under-represented in our Faculty, are especially being encouraged to apply.

EMBL-EBI is a global leader in computational biology and bioinformatics. Our research groups develop and apply computational approaches to answer fundamental and applied questions, ranging from studying how the genome has evolved through to how the microbiome affects our health and the impact of protein structure on drug responses. From a computational perspective, research in the Institute builds and expands upon a variety of methods, from strategies for sequence analysis through to high-dimensional statistical models, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Computational methods developed by groups based at EMBL-EBI are amongst the most widely used by the scientific community, providing the building blocks for future technical advances and scientific discovery. Please refer to the EMBL-EBI webpage and the individual group descriptions to learn more about the research currently being done in the Institute.

As well as joining one of the worlds leading computational biology institutes, you will also become a member of the wider EMBL Faculty. In line with EMBLs scientific programme Molecules to Ecosystems , EMBL-EBI is particularly interested in candidates that have research programmes related to EMBLs transversal themes . All of our group leaders are embedded in the multidisciplinary and collaborative environment of EMBL, which provides many opportunities for interaction with other research groups.

The EMBL-EBI is also deeply embedded in the local Cambridge environment, which represents an outstanding ecosystem for performing world-leading research in the biological sciences
Your role You will establish and lead an independent research group to pursue ambitious and innovative research goals.

To enable your research, EMBL-EBI will provide a generous package of core support, including salary support for PhD students, bioinformaticians and postdoctoral researchers. You will also have access to outstanding computational infrastructure including high performance clusters and GPU compute, no formal teaching responsibilities, and complete academic freedom.

EMBLs current programme, Molecules to Ecosystems, includes a vision to advance our understanding of ecosystems at the molecular level, applying expertise in molecular biology to study life in its natural context. New research areas will focus on applying experimental, computational and theoretical approaches to study at multiple levels (molecules, cells, tissues and populations) how organisms interact with each other and respond to environmental change. EMBL-EBI will be happy to host computational activities related to the new transversal themes .
Planetary Biology aiming to understand how microbes, plants, and animals interact with each other and with their abiotic environments at the molecular level.
Microbial Ecosystems studying microorganisms, how they live in communities and interact with their environments, including host organisms.
Infection Biology - unravelling new strategies to treat infections by studying pathogens, their molecular machineries, their interface with the host, and their ability to spread in populations and across hosts.
Human Ecosystems applying computational and experimental approaches to reveal the impact of the environment on human health and physiology, both at the individual and the population level.
T heory - using modelling, mathematical reasoning, and conceptual approaches to study complex and dynamic biological systems.
You have An aspiration to work on key questions in bioinformatics and computational biology, which implies both biological discoveries and methodological advances. Furthermore, your research will complement and synergise with the activities of EMBL-EBI and the whole of EMBL. You should therefore demonstrate a strong motivation to work in the collaborative and multidisciplinary environment of EMBL.
The successful candidate will have a concise research plan with clearly outlined highly original and ambitious research goals.
A PhD degree in biological, physical or mathematical sciences is required, with an interest in the wider field of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.
The ability to work independently and to participate in a collaborative team effort is required, as is a proactive and positive problem-solving mind-set.
You might also have Experience supervising PhD students, Master Theses, and Postdoctoral Fellows. You should be dedicated to developing effective relationships and to providing leadership and guidance to team members.
Experience of promoting your own work and broader science to specialist scientific media and general audiences.
Apply now! Benefits and Contract Information
Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £260, monthly child allowance of £314 per child. Non resident allowance up to £532 per month. Annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

Hybrid working arrangements

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 to eight bank holidays

Relocation package including installation grant (as applicable)

Campus life: 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, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

Contract duration: This position is a 5 year contract renewable to a maximum of 9 years

Salary: UK Equivalent £100,281.00 (Total package will be dependant on family circumstances)

International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.

Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities .

Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.

To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV via our online system. Applications will close on 14/07/#####.

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