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- Tasks: Join us to analyse cutting-edge datasets on neurodegenerative diseases using machine learning.
- Company: Be part of the Wellcome Sanger Institute, a leader in genomics and life science data.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on human health while collaborating with top researchers in an inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field or nearing completion, with strong computational and programming skills required.
- Other info: Salary ranges from £38,000 to £49,156, depending on experience.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 49000 £ per year.
Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We are seeking a Computational Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Bayraktar and Lotfollahi labs at the Wellcome Sanger Institute to apply cutting edge machine learning models to large-scale single cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets of neurodegenerative diseases. Supported by Open Targets, you will have access to novel cell atlassing datasets of patient tissue samples and close collaborators in biology and machine learning. This position is for a 3 year contract.
About Us
The Bayraktar lab uses spatial and single cell transcriptomics to discover the biology of human brain disorders. The team has developed computational models for spatial transcriptomics data and generated large-scale multimodal atlases of human brain diseases. The Lotfollahi lab leverages AI and advanced experimental techniques to engineer cells and modulate their response to disease and perturbations. The team has a strong background in machine learning models for single cell and spatial transcriptomics.
Open Targets is a public-private partnership involving the Wellcome Sanger Institute, EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), and world-leading pharmaceutical companies. The Open Targets research programme generates and analyses data to connect targets to diseases, assess the strength of this evidence, and help identify and prioritise targets for drug discovery.
About The Role
You will join a new project to create comparative cell atlases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). You will work with a close group of wet and dry lab collaborators to analyse single nuclei and Xenium spatial transcriptomics datasets from brain tissue over 200 patients. You will use state-of-the-art machine learning models to integrate multi-modal data, identify disease vulnerable cell types and pathological cell interactions, with a focus on spatial data analysis.
About You
- We are seeking researchers with experience in computational biology and the ability to collaborate across departments to deliver projects.
- PhD in relevant subject area, or on track to be awarded your PhD within 6 months of starting the role.
- Proven ability to deliver research projects.
- A track record of demonstrating research excellence and expertise in your area of research.
- Ability to analyse and interpret data with strong quantitative/computational skills.
- Programming and bioinformatics skills.
- Strong background in single cell, spatial transcriptomics or image analysis.
- Experience using advanced statistical techniques, machine learning, and modern deep learning techniques.
- Strong knowledge of Python, including core data science libraries such as Scikit-Learn, SciPy, TensorFlow, and PyTorch.
- Knowledge of software development good practices and collaboration tools, including git-based version control, python package management, and code reviews.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of persons of differing levels, abilities and knowledge.
- Foster an inclusive culture where all can thrive and diversity is celebrated.
- Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment.
- Ability to effectively communicate ideas and results and present orally to groups.
- Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills.
- Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work independently.
- Detail-oriented, strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
Other Information
Salary per annum: (dependent upon skills and experience): £38,000-£49,156
Application Process
Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out above. Closing Date: 27th July 2025.
We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus.
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion
We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with various staff networks to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Neurodegenerative Disease Spatial Transcriptomics and Machine Learning employer: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Contact Detail:
Wellcome Sanger Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Fellow: Neurodegenerative Disease Spatial Transcriptomics and Machine Learning
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and machine learning. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet researchers from the Bayraktar and Lotfollahi labs, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and methodologies in spatial transcriptomics and machine learning. Being able to discuss recent advancements or specific papers during an interview can demonstrate your passion and knowledge in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your programming skills by contributing to open-source projects or creating your own projects related to single-cell analysis or spatial transcriptomics. This practical experience can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for potential interviews by practising how to explain complex concepts in simple terms. You may need to communicate your ideas to a diverse audience, so being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Fellow: Neurodegenerative Disease Spatial Transcriptomics and Machine Learning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in computational biology, machine learning, and transcriptomics. Emphasise any specific projects or research that align with the role's focus on neurodegenerative diseases.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly outline how your skills and experiences meet the criteria mentioned in the job description. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise in programming, data analysis, and collaboration.
Showcase Your Research Excellence: Include details about your previous research projects, publications, or presentations that showcase your ability to deliver high-quality research. Highlight any experience with machine learning techniques and their application in biological contexts.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since the role involves working closely with both wet and dry lab collaborators, mention any past experiences where you successfully collaborated across different teams or disciplines. This will show your ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wellcome Sanger Institute
✨Showcase Your Research Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous research projects in detail, especially those related to computational biology, machine learning, and transcriptomics. Highlight any specific techniques or models you've used and how they relate to the work at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with both wet and dry lab teams, emphasise your ability to collaborate across disciplines. Share examples of past teamwork experiences and how you effectively communicated ideas and results to diverse groups.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that assess your programming and bioinformatics skills, particularly in Python and relevant libraries like Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow. Brush up on your knowledge of machine learning techniques and be ready to solve problems on the spot.
✨Express Your Commitment to Inclusivity
The Wellcome Sanger Institute values diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how you foster an inclusive culture in your work environment and how you can contribute to a supportive atmosphere within the team.
