Group Leader â AI in Biology
Group Leader â AI in Biology
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Job Description
Are you ready to lead groundbreaking research in AI for Biology Join us at EMBL!
We are seeking a visionary scientist to establish their own independent research group bridging innovations in machine learning/AI with modern biology at the AI Hub Heidelberg as part of EMBL AI a major institutional initiative to embed AI across all areas of life sciences.
EMBL provides a unique environment for young scientists to conduct groundbreaking research and technology development across the life sciences.
About us
EMBL has already established itself as a global leader in AI-driven innovation in biology research with successes in areas including genomics structural biology (e.g. AlphaFold) biomarker discovery and imaging. EMBL hosts the worlds largest repository of biological data the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and has excellent pan-institutional data management data science and open science infrastructures. Our goal is to build a dynamic community of AI specialists working alongside life science researchers together creating innovative AI-based methods to address fundamental questions in biology and drive scientific breakthroughs. Discover more on our web page and explore our current research groups.
Scientific context and strategic fit
EMBLs 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. EMBL has a track record in establishing landmark data resources in these different areas (EMBL-EBI) leads in managing digital infrastructures and operates a dedicated Data Science Center for handling complex primary biological data types across the institute.
We are interested in hosting scientists who can enhance these biological areas using AI-based approaches and technological innovations. We welcome proposals that integrate ML/AI with model-driven experimentation lab automation or study sampling as well as those that advance machine learning methodology and theoretical concepts.
Possible research areas include: machine learning foundations generative modelling foundation models cross-domain/-modality learning explainable AI and mechanistic interpretability representation learning Bayesian inference causal inference active learning AI-based agents in the scientific process. You will use AI to enhance biological discoveries in any area of biology.
Incoming groups will be able to collaborate with scientists across EMBLs scientific units sites and cross-cutting research topics and have access to unique biodata biotechnologies and a wide range of expertise in biological research. Example topics for interactions with the scientific units in Heidelberg include multi-modal data integration towards whole-cell models prediction of protein function and protein-ligand interactions (Molecular Systems Biology) regulatory networks single-cell and spatial omics precision medicine (Genome Biology) multi-scale models in space and time for organelles and cells (Cell Biology and Biophysics) or collectives of unicellular and multicellular organisms (Developmental Biology).
Your role
You will:
Lead an independent research group at EMBL AIs Heidelberg Hub to pursue exciting ambitious and original research in the broad domain of AI for biology.
Create an innovative research program developing or adapting cutting-edge AI techniques to address important biological questions.
Bring your perspective and unique vision to science in an intellectually stimulating collaborative interdisciplinary and highly international environment.
Your profile
You should have an exciting research plan for your future team. You have an excellent research record in AI a PhD in a relevant field and an interest in AI applications to biology. Previous experience in biology is not required but a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration is essential.
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 to achieve your research goals.
EMBL 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. program which allows student intake via the ELLIS PhD program & 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 GPU farms and multiple channels to scale-out to European 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. 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 Heidelberg embedded in a thriving research environment with partnerships to world-leading institutions and cross-institutional initiatives including the ELLIS Unit Heidelberg the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU) and the Heidelberg-Mannheim Health & Life-Science Alliance.
Networking & Visibility: Engage with hundreds of world-leading scientists coming for each of the over 30 international conferences hosted annually at EMBLs advanced training centre.
Data: EMBL with its European Bioinformatics Institute has a track record in providing the worlds major data resources in biology (EMBL-EBI).
Global Excellence: Join a top-ranked research institute promoting discovery-driven science in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Online interviews will be conducted in November 2025
Onsite interviews are planned for January 2026
Contract length: 5 years renewable to a maximum of 9 years.
Salary: Grade 9 monthly salary from EUR 6.65904 (after tax and before 12.05% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits.
Further information on Group Leader appointments can be found here: you would like more information about the position if procedural please contact if on the position please contact Oliver Stegle acting Head of EMBL AI.
How to apply
Before applying please read the application instructions here.
You should submit an exciting research plan with original and ambitious goals for your future team (maximum 4 pages). In your online application you will be asked to include a cover letter your CV the names and contact details of 2 referees and a concise description of research interests & future research plans highlighting your unique vision (up to four pages). Letters of recommendation should be submitted by the referees by or shortly after the application deadline.
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 insurancefor 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 packageincluding installation grant (if applicable)
Campus life:Free shuttle bus (select sites) on-site library subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria casual dress code extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg only) 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 strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women LGBTQ & individuals from all nationalities.
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
02/11/2025Employment Type
Full-Time
