Research Scientist - Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

EMBL is Europe's life sciences laboratory - an intergovernmental organisation with more than a hundred independent research groups and service teams covering the spectrum of molecular biology. It operates across six sites in Heidelberg (headquarters), Barcelona, Cambridge, Grenoble, Hamburg and Rome. Our mission is to perform basic research in molecular biology; train scientists, students and visitors at all levels; offer vital services to scientists in the public and private sectors; develop new instruments and methods; and engage actively in technology transfer.

Research and services at EMBL Rome focus on the interdisciplinary investigation of epigenetics and neurobiology with a major focus on exploring the molecular mechanisms of how changes in gene expression and brain function enable organisms to adapt to their environment. We encourage you to visit our web site to understand the most current research and service directions at the unit. EMBL Rome shares the Monterotondo Campus with the Italian National Research Council (CNR) Institute for Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC).

We are looking for a Research Scientist in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence to join the Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit at EMBL Rome, Italy.

Your role

You will drive research projects using machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to understand basic mechanisms in mammalian behavior, physiology and/or molecular biology. You will have the opportunity and resources to pursue state-of-the-art ML/AI projects that synergize with the core research and service focus at the Unit.

This could include, for example, one or more of the following areas:

1. integration and predictive modeling using omics datasets
2. assessment and modeling of complex animal behavior
3. interpretation of neural activity datasets

The post-holder will report to the Head of Unit and will be expected to develop a unique research programme, interacting with local groups and contributing to and taking advantage of the large community of computational and theoretical scientists across EMBL sites. You will have the opportunity to recruit, supervise, and mentor junior researchers in a manner commensurate with skills and experience.

You have

• a PhD in computational or life sciences or equivalent research experience
• demonstrated track record of publications or other research outputs in the application and/or development of ML/AI tools
• a desire to lead research in the most innovative areas of ML/AI applied to cutting-edge biological problems

You might also have

• prior experience demonstrating successful collaboration with biologists
• prior experience in leading research projects, supervising junior researchers, and attracting competitive funding
• experience in experimental research relevant to your area of computational expertise

Why join

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: Income tax exemption, monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, a pension scheme, life insurance, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Certified training and continued development of your professional and personal skills
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year
• Generous relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)
• Family benefits: 10 days of child sick leave, generous parental leave and monthly family and 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

What else you need to know

We are Europe's flagship research laboratory for the life sciences - an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome. Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. The working language of the institute is English.

Please note that appointments on fixed-term contracts can be renewed up to 9 years in total, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

Please apply online and submit a cover letter, your CV, the names and contact details of 3 referees. Your cover letter should include:

1. a statement about your research interests and vision for the future (maximum 1 page)
2. a statement about how you plan to interact and synergise with the research expertise present at EMBL Rome (maximum 1 page)

**Don't meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply nevertheless.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.

Please apply online through: www.embl.org/jobs