Group Leader – AI in Biology

Overview

EMBL Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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 AI is EMBL's ambitious new initiative aiming to exploit the full potential of AI-based approaches to advance scientific discovery. EMBL AI will host new AI research groups and data engineering teams, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, along with fellowship and skills development programmes that bridge AI and life sciences. EMBL AI groups will be embedded in a world-class environment of biological researchers covering a broad range of biological areas, from molecules to ecosystems. 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 world’s 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.

Scientific context and strategic fit

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. 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 EMBL’s 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, regulatory networks, single-cell and spatial omics, precision medicine, multi-scale models in space and time for organelles and cells, or collectives of unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Your role

You Will

• Lead an independent research group at EMBL AI’s 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 – potential to develop groundbreaking ideas and contribute to shaping the future of the field.
• Original and Innovative Thinking – curious and intellectually creative to approach important research questions from new perspectives.
• Collaborative Mindset – eager to engage with a diverse community of researchers, open to interdisciplinary exchange.
• Mentoring Skills – dedicated to nurturing and inspiring people in your team, supported by an inclusive leadership style.
• Leadership Potential and Management Skills – ready to grow into a leadership role, including strategic planning, coordination, and fostering an inclusive environment.

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 Group Leaders Benefit From

• Core Funding: Generous core funding including a yearly research package, core-funded PhD students, access to competitive post-doc programmes.
• World-Class Resources: Access to leading core facilities and infrastructures in molecular biology and IT, including on-site HPC and GPU farms and access to European supercomputing resources.
• Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Environment: Network of over 110 independent research groups and service teams across six sites.
• Creative Freedom: Autonomy and resources to shape your research direction.
• Well-connected Scientific Hub: EMBL Heidelberg with partnerships to other institutions and cross-institutional initiatives.
• Networking & Visibility: Engagement with leading scientists through conferences and events.
• Data Resources: EMBL-EBI and major biological data resources.
• Global Excellence: A top-ranked institute promoting discovery-driven science in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Closing Date: 02/11/2025

How to apply

Before applying, please read the application instructions. Submit an exciting research plan with original and ambitious goals for your future team (maximum 4 pages). In your online application, include a cover letter, your CV, the names and contact details of 2 referees, and a concise description of research interests & future plans. 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. We are committed to an inclusive and flexible culture where everyone can realise their full potential. We encourage applications from individuals who complement our existing team and reflect diversity.

Contact and additional information

For more information about the position, contact or Oliver Stegle ( ), acting Head of EMBL AI.

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