At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative AI models for biological discovery and support experimental design.
- Company: Join the Earlham Institute's cutting-edge AI for Biology Group in Norwich.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, access to state-of-the-art AI resources, and collaborative research environment.
- Other info: Full-time role with potential for contract extension and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI in biology and publish impactful research.
- Qualifications: PhD in a relevant field and strong programming skills in Python.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 46500 £ per year.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist (SC6) or Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist (SC5) to join Professor Ke Li's AI for Biology Group in the Research Faculty of the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.
Background: The AI for Biology Group will be newly established at the Earlham Institute (EI), while building on Professor Ke Li's established and well-funded research programme in fundamental AI, AI co-scientists, and applications in complex scientific domains such as RNA sequence-function modelling, structure prediction, and inverse design. At EI, the group will develop an ambitious Generative Digital Biology (GDB) programme, developing multimodal, cross-organism and experimentally grounded AI systems that can learn from biological data, support hypothesis generation, guide experimental design and accelerate discovery across EI's research programmes and technology platforms.
The successful candidate will have access to substantial AI compute, including in-house state-of-the-art H200 GPU servers, alongside further capacity through the Norwich Data Centre and access to national-scale AI compute through Isambard-AI. This provides a strong environment for frontier AI development and evaluation. Collaboration with the Earlham Biofoundry provides routes for model-guided experimental design and, where appropriate, closed-loop self-driving laboratory workflows supported by established lab automation.
The role: We are seeking an ambitious researcher to develop foundation models for biological discovery within a new AI for Biology Group at EI. The successful candidate will create novel AI methods for the pretraining, post-training, adaptation and evaluation of foundation models that support hypothesis generation and experimentally grounded biological discovery. Building on Professor Ke Li's established research programme in AI for science, the role focuses on developing new AI systems rather than simply applying existing machine learning approaches to biological datasets. The post offers extensive collaboration across the Institute, supporting the development of multimodal biological foundation models, AI-guided design-build-test-learn workflows, and open algorithms, benchmarks and reproducible research. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a frontier AI for Biology programme, publish high-impact research, and contribute to future funding applications.
Appointment will be made at SC6 (Postdoctoral Research Scientist) or SC5 (Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist), according to the candidate's experience and evidence against the published criteria.
Ideal candidate: The successful candidate will have a PhD (awarded or expected within 6 months) in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline. They will have excellent programming skills in Python and practical experience with modern deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX or TensorFlow, alongside experience with large-scale model training, GPU/HPC/cloud computing environments, Linux, version control and reproducible research workflows. Experience with large-scale AI training ecosystems, including Hugging Face, DeepSpeed, FSDP, Megatron-LM, Ray or equivalent tools, would be advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate experience developing, adapting or evaluating original AI algorithms rather than solely applying existing methods. Evidence of high-quality research outputs commensurate with career stage, including publications in leading venues in AI and machine learning, computational biology or AI for science, is essential. Experience with foundation-model pre-training in natural language processing, computer vision or biological domains, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteins, DNA or RNA, would be highly beneficial.
For appointment at SC5, candidates will additionally be expected to demonstrate experience leading foundation-model research in biology or another complex scientific domain; a strong track record of independent or semi-independent research; the ability to develop and deliver a research direction with limited supervision; clear evidence of leading high-quality outputs; and the ability to coordinate collaborations, support junior researchers, and contribute substantively to publications and grant applications.
Additional information: Salary on appointment will be within the range £39,000 to £46,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience for the SC6 level post, and £47,450 to £52,560 per annum for candidates who meet the SC5 level criteria. This is a full-time post for a contract of 36 months, with possible extension. The closing date for applications will be 4 September 2026. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.
(Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Biological Foundation Models in Norwich employer: Earlham Institute
Earlham Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Norwich, where innovation meets collaboration. As a Predoctoral Intern, you will benefit from comprehensive training in both wet-lab and computational design, alongside opportunities for professional growth and the chance to present your research. The supportive culture fosters creativity and encourages the pursuit of meaningful contributions to plant sciences, making it an ideal place for aspiring scientists.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land (Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Biological Foundation Models in Norwich
✨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 Earlham Institute. 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 Earlham Institute!
We think you need these skills to ace (Senior) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Biological Foundation Models in Norwich
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 Earlham Institute 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 Earlham Institute.
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 Earlham Institute 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 Earlham Institute
✨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 Earlham Institute. 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 Earlham Institute'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 Earlham Institute. This shows your passion for the industry!
