At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our AI Research team to tackle challenging problems in biological AI using advanced mathematics.
- Company: Basecamp Research, a leading innovator in life sciences and AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, private healthcare, and unique perks like IVF stipend.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on groundbreaking research that shapes the future of therapeutics.
- Qualifications: PhD in mathematics or related field with strong AI and machine learning experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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 organizations 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.
We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist to join our AI Research team in London. You will work at the intersection of mathematics and machine learning, bringing rigorous quantitative thinking to some of the most challenging problems in biological AI. Our research group is small, collaborative, and operates more like a frontier research lab than a typical biotech team. We train large-scale foundation models on the world's largest and richest metagenomic datasets, and we look for people who can push the mathematical boundaries of what these models can learn and represent. The work requires developing new methods and theories from scratch.
This is a role with real ownership. You will shape a research direction within the team, publish at top venues, and see your work translated into models that generate genuinely novel biology. The problems are hard, the data is unique, and the impact is tangible. You'll be reporting to the Head of AI Research and working alongside researchers covering genomics, sequence modeling, and large-scale deep learning, as well as biologists, bioinformaticians, and engineers across the wider company.
About You
- PhD in mathematics, physics, or a closely related quantitative field.
- Your work in AI and machine learning is driven by curiosity, and you've brought a depth of mathematical thinking that clearly distinguishes your work.
- You have spent meaningful time on frontier research and you already have an understanding of how top research teams operate, from problem selection to large-scale experimentation to shipping results that matter.
- Your research interests might span generative models, geometric deep learning, probabilistic modeling, dynamical systems, information geometry, optimization theory, or related areas.
- You have a strong publication record at top ML venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, or equivalent) that demonstrates independent thinking and a coherent research arc.
- You are genuinely curious about biology. Domain expertise is welcome, and what we really care about is that you find it exciting to work with data from unexplored ecosystems encoding billions of years of evolutionary optimization.
- You have low ego, strong collaborative instincts, and a startup mentality. You are comfortable with ambiguity, willing to iterate fast, and happy to work in a small team where everyone contributes across boundaries.
Nice to Have
- Experience training models at large scale (billions of parameters, extreme long context, distributed training, custom architectures).
- Domain knowledge in life sciences, genomics, or computational biology, e.g., familiarity with protein structure, molecular dynamics, or related biophysical methods.
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.
- 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.
- Comprehensive Benefits: We've built a benefits package people value, including competitive salary, equity, and private healthcare.
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 Research Scientist, Mathematical Foundations employer: Basecamp Research
Basecamp Research is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI and life sciences in a collaborative and flexible environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, our team enjoys access to unique biological datasets, impactful projects, and comprehensive benefits, all while being part of a diverse and innovative culture that values curiosity and ownership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Scientist, Mathematical Foundations
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Basecamp Research, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Basecamp Research. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Scientist, Mathematical Foundations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Basecamp Research. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Basecamp Research. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Basecamp Research
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Basecamp Research. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Basecamp Research to drive research projects forward.