Staff Scientist Full-time

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. 

Learn more about our impact here. 

Your supervisor

Professor Ewan Birney FRS.

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 includes extensive delivery of research in genomics and computational biology over 20 years 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 

• PhD in a quantitative science

• 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

Apply now! Benefits and Contract Information

• Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278 monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Non resident allowance up to £579 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 3 year contract renewable up to 9 years

• Salary: Monthly salary starting at £4,825 after tax but excl. pension & insurances) + benefits (Total package will be dependent 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.

Tagged as: Life Sciences