Do you want to lead groundbreaking research in computational biology? Join us at EMBL-EBI!

EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is seeking talented and highly-motivated scientists to join its Faculty and develop their own independent research group. We welcome applicants from across the whole field of computational biology, in particular those working at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology. Women, who are under-represented in our Faculty, are especially encouraged to apply. 

About us
 

EMBL-EBI is a global leader in computational biology and bioinformatics. Our research groups develop and apply computational approaches to answer fundamental and applied questions, ranging from studying how the genome has evolved through to how the microbiome affects our health and environment. Research in the Institute builds and expands upon a variety of methods, from strategies for sequence and image analysis through to high-dimensional statistical models, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Computational methods developed by groups based at EMBL-EBI are amongst the most widely used by the scientific community, providing the building blocks for future technical advances and scientific discovery. Please refer to the EMBL-EBI webpage and the individual group descriptions to learn more about the research currently being done in the Institute.

Scientific context and strategic fit

As well as joining one of the world’s leading computational biology institutes, all of our group leaders are embedded in the multidisciplinary and collaborative environment of EMBL, which provides many opportunities for interaction with other research groups.  

EMBL’s long-term scientific direction, Molecules to Ecosystems, aims to advance our understanding of ecosystems at the molecular level, applying expertise in molecular biology to study life in its natural context. Research areas include applying experimental, computational and theoretical approaches to study how cells and organisms interact with each other and respond to fluctuating environments.

Within this programme, the new AI initiative aims to transform research at EMBL. From the development of new AI methods to their application to mine the world’s largest collection of biomedical data, hosted at EMBL-EBI, to the integration of AI in experimental and observational studies and more generally the scientific process. You will have the opportunity to join this new initiative.

The EMBL-EBI is also deeply embedded in the Wellcome Genome Campus and wider Cambridge environment, which represents an outstanding ecosystem for performing world-leading research in computational life sciences.

Your role 

You will establish and lead an independent research group to pursue ambitious and innovative research goals.

To enable your research, EMBL-EBI will provide a generous package of core support, including funding for PhD students, bioinformaticians, engineers and postdoctoral researchers. You will also have access to outstanding computational infrastructure including high-performance clusters and GPU compute, no formal teaching responsibilities, and complete academic freedom.

Your profile

You should have an original and exciting research plan for your future team, which can encompass both biological discoveries and methodological advances. You have an excellent research record in computational biology and a PhD in a relevant field.  Alternatively, you have a track-record in machine learning and AI, and interest in applying these to biological questions. A strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration is essential, and we’ll want you to demonstrate your motivation to work in the EMBL environment. 

Key competencies

• Scientific excellence and vision – you have the potential to develop groundbreaking ideas and contribute to shaping the future of their field.

• Original and innovative thinking – you are curious and intellectually creative to approach important research questions from new and original perspectives.

• Collaborative Mindset – you are eager to engage with a diverse community of researchers, willing to step outside of your comfort zone, and open to interdisciplinary exchange.

• Mentoring Skills –  you are dedicated to nurturing and inspiring people in your team, supported by an inclusive leadership style. 

• Leadership Potential and Management Skills – you are ready and committed to grow into a leadership role, including learning how to efficiently manage and inspire a research team, adapting strategic planning, coordination, and an environment that fosters inclusiveness.

Why EMBL is an excellent environment for you to become a Research Group Leader

EMBL typically appoints group leaders early in their career and provides everything you need to support this transition to your first independent position and achieve your research goals.

EMBL-EBI research group leaders benefit from:

• Core Funding: Focus on your research with generous, reliable core funding throughout your time at EMBL. The offer includes a competitive yearly research package, core-funded Ph.D. students from our excellent international Ph.D. programme, which allows student intake via the ELLIS PhD programme, & access to competitive post-doc programmes.

• World-Class Resources: Access to world-leading core facilities and infrastructures in molecular biology and in IT, including on-site HPC and multiple channels to scale-out to supercomputing resources.

• Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Environment: Thrive within a network of over 110 independent research groups and service teams across our six sites, covering a broad spectrum of topics in life sciences, including the new AI@EMBL initiative. EMBL fosters and supports creative, interdisciplinary and collaborative research.

• Creative Freedom: Enjoy the autonomy and resources to choose your direction of research.

• Well-connected Scientific Hub: Be part of EMBL-EBI, embedded in the thriving research environment of the Wellcome Genome Campus with cross-campus initiatives like Open Targets and many other opportunities for collaboration. 

• Networking & Visibility: Engage with hundreds of world-leading scientists coming for each of the many international conferences hosted annually at the Wellcome Genome Campus, as well as the EMBL courses and conference programme on campus and in Heidelberg.  

• Data: EMBL-EBI maintains the world's most comprehensive range of freely available and up-to-date biological data resources.

• Global Excellence: Join a top-ranked research institute promoting discovery-driven science in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

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Contract length: 5 years, renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
 

Interviews: Online interviews will be held late April/early May. Onsite interviews will be held in Hinxton, on the 2nd and 3rd July 2026.
 

Salary: Grade 9, monthly salary from £5,982.74 (after tax, and before 12.99% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits.

Further information on Group Leader appointments can be found here.

If you would like more information about the position: if procedural, please contact Georgina Birchall, Deputy Head of Talent Acquisition, birchall@ebi.ac.uk, if on the position itself, please contact Julio Saez-Rodriguez, EMBL-EBI Head of Research. 
 

How to apply

To apply, please submit your research plan with original and ambitious goals for your future team (maximum 4 pages). In your online application, please also upload a cover letter, your CV and the names and contact details of at least 3 referees.

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation. 

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (some sites), library, cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.

• Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date