EMBL-EBI/Sanger Postdoctoral Fellowship: The EMBL-EBI–Sanger Postdoctoral (ESPOD) Programme offers an exciting opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to work at the intersection of experimental (wet-lab) and computational (dry-lab) research. Hosted on the renowned Wellcome Genome Campus, this program allows fellows to collaborate closely with experts from EMBL-EBI and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Fellows will gain access to cutting-edge scientific facilities and join an intellectually vibrant research environment.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity: EMBL-EBI/Sanger ESPOD Programme
Designation:
Postdoctoral Fellow
Details at a Glance:
| Position | EMBL-EBI/Sanger Postdoctoral Fellow (ESPOD) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 36 months |
| Start Date | Must be within 12 months of being awarded |
| Funding | £3,383/month (net of tax, excluding pension and insurances) |
| Application Deadline | Tuesday, 30th September 2025 |
| Interviews | Thursday, 11th December 2025 |
| Location | Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK |
Research Areas:
Applicants can apply to work on any of the following predefined projects or propose their own project that involves at least one group from both EMBL-EBI and the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Predefined Projects:
| Project Title | Collaborating Groups |
|---|---|
| 1. Multicellular molecular characterisation of inflammatory bowel disease | Julio Saez-Rodriguez and Carl Anderson |
| 2. Single-cell multiomics to characterise how high-grade serous ovarian cancer originates and evolves | Isidro Cortes-Ciriano and Roser Vento-Tormo |
| 3. Decoding morphological programmes of T cell activation through multimodal imaging and machine learning | Jess Ewald and Gosia Trynka |
| 4. Origins, footprints, and consequences of mutations in endometrial stem cells | Tim Coorens and Roser Vento-Tormo |
| 5. Development of Interactive Visualisation and Conversational AI Tools for Spatial Transcriptomics Data | Christina Ernst and Muzz Haniffa |
| 6. Designing Efficient Single-Cell Perturbation Experiments with Lab-in-the-Loop AI Agents | Julio Saez-Rodriguez and Mo Lotfollahi/Muzz Haniffa |
| 7. Predicting cellular phenotypes of unseen environmental compounds using flow matching models | Jess Ewald and Mo Lotfollahi |
Propose Your Own Project:
Candidates are welcome to propose their own project ideas in collaboration with group leaders at EMBL-EBI and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. A full project description (max. 1000 words) must be approved by the respective group leaders prior to application submission.
Location:
Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Fellows will be based on the iconic Wellcome Genome Campus, benefiting from access to specialized facilities, scientific expertise, and an active seminar and networking program.
Eligibility/Qualification:
- PhD in a relevant scientific field (such as biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, data science, or related disciplines).
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: computational modelling, single-cell sequencing technologies, multiomics, machine learning, or artificial intelligence.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research setting.
- Strong communication and writing skills in English, as evidenced by publications and/or presentations at scientific meetings.
Job Description:
- Conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research combining computational and experimental approaches.
- Work closely with esteemed researchers from both the EMBL-EBI and Wellcome Sanger Institute.
- Contribute to the development of innovative methods and share research results through publications, conferences, and outreach initiatives.
- Utilize state-of-the-art facilities and computational tools provided by the Wellcome Genome Campus.
- Participate in seminars, workshops, and collaborative networking events to enhance personal and professional growth.
How to Apply:
- All applications must be submitted through the EMBL jobs page (visit: EMBL Jobs).
- Include the following documents in your application:
- A cover letter describing your interests and experience relevant to the project(s).
- Your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Two letters of reference (your referees may be contacted during shortlisting).
- For self-proposed projects: A properly approved project description (maximum 1000 words).
- Applications for predefined and self-proposed projects must specify the project(s) being applied for in the application form.
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: 30th September 2025
- Interviews Date: 11th December 2025 (to be held in person at the Wellcome Genome Campus)
Contact Information:
For any inquiries about the projects or the ESPOD scheme:
Email: ESPOD@ebi.ac.uk
Embark on a transformative postdoctoral journey with the EMBL-EBI/Sanger ESPOD Programme and contribute to groundbreaking research that advances science and medicine.
