At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative AI/ML projects in a collaborative research environment.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and extensive health support.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health through cutting-edge research and technology.
- Qualifications: PhD or near submission in relevant fields; strong programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47500 - 47500 £ per year.
This is a full-time, fixed term (4 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
Reports to: Foad Rouhani, Group Leader
Salary for this Role: From £47,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
Application Deadline: 6th July 2026 at 11.55pm
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture.
About the TRCE Lab
The Tissue Regeneration and Clonal Evolution (TRCE) laboratory is a multidisciplinary research group focused on understanding how organs regenerate and how this knowledge can be harnessed to develop future therapies. Using the liver as a model system, the lab combines stem cell biology, spatial genomics, AI/ML, single-cell technologies and computational biology to study how mutant cell populations interact with their surrounding tissue environment during regeneration, ageing and cancer development.
About the role
We are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Fellow to lead a cutting‑edge computational project investigating how driver mutation clones interact with their microenvironment in chronic liver disease and liver cancer. This is a highly collaborative and cross‑institutional role between the Francis Crick Institute and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Working closely with the Lotfollahi Lab – leaders in generative AI and foundation models for spatial and single‑cell genomics – you will develop and apply state‑of‑the‑art machine learning approaches to large‑scale spatial genomics and multi‑modal biological datasets. The successful candidate will be embedded across both institutes, benefiting from joint supervision, collaborative meetings and access to world‑leading expertise, datasets, computational infrastructure and scientific networks.
What you’ll be doing
- Developing advanced AI/ML methods for analysing spatial genomics and histology datasets.
- Applying graph neural networks, transformer models and generative AI approaches to study clone‑microenvironment interactions.
- Integrating spatial transcriptomics, single‑cell sequencing and imaging datasets.
- Designing benchmarking strategies and reproducible computational workflows.
- Performing clonal reconstruction and spatial mapping analyses from genomic datasets.
- Collaborating closely with computational scientists, clinicians and experimental researchers across the Crick and Sanger Institute.
- Leading publications, conference presentations and dissemination of research findings.
Requirements
- PhD (or near submission) in computational biology, machine learning, computer science, statistics or a related quantitative discipline.
- Experience developing and applying deep learning or AI/ML methods to complex scientific datasets.
- Strong programming and scientific computing skills in Python (e.g. numpy, pandas, PyTorch and/or JAX).
- Experience analysing complex biological, imaging or spatial datasets, or strong evidence of rapidly adapting to new data domains.
- Excellent communication, organisational and collaborative working skills.
- Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and cross‑institutional research teams.
- Experience with spatial transcriptomics or single‑cell genomics analysis.
- Familiarity with graph neural networks, transformers, generative AI or foundation models.
- Experience working with cloud/HPC environments, workflow orchestration or reproducible computational pipelines.
- Publications or presentations at leading computational biology or machine learning conferences.
- Interest in cancer biology, tissue regeneration or translational genomics.
About Working at the Crick
Our values: We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.
We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply.
If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: ruby.oluwafemi@crick.ac.uk.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well‑being and development:
- Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- 24/7 GP consultation services.
- Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
- Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance: Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options.
- Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
- Discounted gym memberships, bike‑to‑work scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Subsidised on‑site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
- Career support: A Post‑doc to PI programme and other career development activities.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow – F Rouhani lab employer: The Francis Crick Institute Limited
The Francis Crick Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and creativity in biomedical research. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to employee growth through structured training and career development programmes, the Crick empowers its staff to pursue groundbreaking research that has a meaningful impact on human health. Located in the heart of London, employees benefit from generous leave, comprehensive health support, and a vibrant community that values diversity and inclusion.
Contact Details:
The Francis Crick Institute Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow – F Rouhani lab
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Crick Institute on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insights into the lab culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the latest research in AI/ML and its applications in biology. Show us you’re not just a tech whiz but also passionate about the science behind it!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You might need to present your past work or ideas during the interview. Make sure we can clearly see your thought process and how you tackle complex problems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow – F Rouhani lab
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the AI/ML Postdoctoral Fellow role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially in computational biology and machine learning.
Showcase Your Projects:Include any projects or research you've done that relate to AI/ML methods or spatial genomics. This is your chance to shine, so don’t hold back on detailing your contributions and outcomes!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it's necessary. We want to understand your qualifications without getting lost in complex terms.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Francis Crick Institute Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest AI/ML techniques, especially those related to spatial genomics and single-cell technologies. Familiarise yourself with graph neural networks and transformer models, as these are key to the role. Being able to discuss your understanding of these concepts will show your passion and expertise.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This position is all about collaboration, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams before. Highlight any interdisciplinary projects you've been part of, especially if they involved computational biology or machine learning. This will demonstrate that you can thrive in a dynamic environment like the Crick.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the TRCE lab's current projects, the collaborative work with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and how they envision the role evolving over time. This shows you're genuinely interested and engaged with their work.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working with diverse teams, clear communication is crucial. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you might need to present your findings to non-specialists. This skill will not only help during the interview but also in your future collaborations.
