At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Genomics team to define data needs and validate AI models for groundbreaking biological research.
- Company: Basecamp Research, a leader in life sciences and AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, private healthcare, and unique fertility support.
- Other info: Flexible, collaborative culture with growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health through cutting-edge AI and biology.
- Qualifications: Experience in bioinformatics and a strong understanding of life-science AI.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About Us
Basecamp Research is dedicated to solving major challenges in the life sciences by exploring Beyond Known Biology. Our teams build frontier AI models using BaseData, the world's largest ethically-sourced and globally representative biological dataset. Our Global Research Team collects and curates our own biological data through partnerships with more than 152 organisations in 28 countries, giving its AI access to genetic diversity that doesn't exist for models trained on public database sources. This enables Basecamp Research to design novel protein sequences and biological systems that can accelerate therapeutic research and development.
In October 2024 we closed Series B and in January 2026 finalised pre-Series C investment from NVIDIA. With hubs both in London, UK as well as Boston, Massachusetts, USA and partners with biopharma companies and academic institutions worldwide, our work has been recognised with honours including Fast Company's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Biotech and the FT-backed Sifted AI100 list of Europe's leading AI startups.
At Basecamp Research, we pride ourselves on being a diverse, exciting, fun, and flexible place to work. Our team of biologists, engineers, ML scientists, field explorers, and operations specialists are united by a sense of adventure and the belief that nature has already designed the solutions to our planet's greatest challenges - we just need to go out and discover them! If you feel passionate about the power of biology, data, and AI to build a better world, we'd love to hear from you.
The Role
Our EDEN models, trained on the world's largest ethically-sourced biological dataset, have already designed novel antibiotics validated against priority pathogens in the lab, and prioritised vaccine targets faster than comparable genomic foundation models.
We are looking for a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist to join our Genomics team in London, working closely with our deep-learning modelling, engineering, and translational teams. You will focus on defining what data our models require, what “good data” means and validating through evidence the success of our foundational models.
You will be a first principles thinker capable of reasoning backwards: defining what data would train a capability, how to structure, and what evaluations would show the model is doing what we intend.
What you'll do:
- Start from a modelling goal and work out the data behind it: what to assemble or curate, how to define ground truth and label quality, and how to build biologically sound splits homology- and structure-aware, not naive random so that what a model learns holds up.
- Design the evaluations that prove it: the metrics, baselines, and failure analysis that show a model is genuinely capable rather than exploiting leakage or a shortcut in the data.
- Fine-tune and rigorously evaluate genomic or protein models, or work hand in hand with those who do, so that your dataset decisions are grounded in how they actually move model performance.
- Reason about biological meaning from foundational, evolutionary-scale data through to human therapeutic context: target validation evidence, indication mapping, peptide-level questions.
- Run and develop the genomic and protein analyses that depend on sequence analysis, alignment, annotation, comparative and evolutionary approaches with the scepticism to spot when a result is an artefact of the method rather than the biology.
- Work reproducibly, so your datasets and analyses are something the team can rerun and build on rather than a result that only ran once on your machine using whatever tooling fits, from workflow managers to containers, without needing to be a platform engineer.
- Hold the line on data integrity, treating provenance and lineage as first-class parts of the dataset because a model is only as trustworthy as the consented, traceable data underneath it.
About You
You have demonstrated experience curating data specifically for life-science AI, so you understand what separates a dataset that trains a good model from one that quietly poisons it. That comes from having been close to the models themselves. You've trained, fine-tuned, or run inference on them enough to know what a dataset looks like from the other side.
Your foundations are strong. You have core bioinformatics, sequence informatics and the standard genomic and protein toolchain, along with the judgment to know where those tools quietly break down, backed by sound software practice in reproducibility, version control, and pipelines.
You have direct experience in human research, functional genomics, or clinically relevant work, the kind where the biology connects to human health rather than sitting at arm's length.
You'll likely have a PhD in a relevant field, an MSc with 1-3 years of relevant experience, or a BSc with 3 or more years.
Low ego, collaborative instincts, and a startup mentality. You're comfortable with ambiguity and happy to wear multiple hats in a team where everyone contributes towards the company's success.
What we offer in return:
- Impactful Mission: This is a rare chance to do work that genuinely matters. You'll join a talented, fast-moving team, access unique biological datasets at scale, and see your contributions shape real breakthroughs in AI and curative therapeutics.
- Collaborative Culture: You'll be surrounded by world-class engineers, scientists, and researchers who care deeply about their work and about each other. With offices in London and Boston, we've built a flexible, cross-functional environment where personal development and real ownership aren't just talking points.
- High Growth: We truly believe in investing in our people. We make coaching available to team members during steep growth journeys and we have twice-yearly promotion opportunities. People who are really successful here own it and go directly to solve problems at pace, and we ensure reward increases with impact.
- Comprehensive Benefits: We've built a benefits package people value. That means competitive salary, equity, and private healthcare with no medical history exclusions - so strong that most employees' family members opt into our plan over their own. We also offer Carrot Fertility with IVF stipend, salary sacrifice pension, bike-to-work scheme, life insurance, and more.
We are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of ethnic or national origin, race, religion, sex, age, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other basis. If you have a disability or additional need that needs accommodating do let us know.
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist in London employer: Basecamp Research
Basecamp Research is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of life sciences and AI in a vibrant London hub. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, personal development, and impactful missions, employees are empowered to make significant contributions while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a flexible work culture that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Bioinformatics Scientist in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Basecamp Research. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Basecamp Research!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bioinformatics Scientist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Basecamp Research that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Basecamp Research.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Basecamp Research does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Basecamp Research
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Basecamp Research. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Basecamp Research's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Basecamp Research. This shows your passion for the industry!