Google DeepMind Fellowship in Genomics and AI
The Wellcome Sanger Institute, in partnership with Google DeepMind, will soon be launching a new Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genomics and AI – a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of artificial intelligence and large-scale genomics.
This fellowship will bring together world-leading expertise in AI and genomics to drive ambitious, high-impact research.
Applications are not yet open but if you would like to be notified when applications open, please register your details below to be added to our mailing list.
About the Fellowship
The Fellowship is designed for exceptional postdoctoral researchers who want to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence in biological science.
The successful Fellow will be based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, embedded within a globally recognised genomics research environment, and connected to expertise in advanced AI. They will also collaborate closely with AI experts from UK universities.
The aim is simple but ambitious:
To develop novel AI approaches that unlock new insight from large-scale genomic data.
The Fellowship package will include
- Salary for 3 years: £38,000 – £49,156, dependent upon skills and experience
- Opportunities to collaborate with academic partner(s) in the AI field from UK universities
- Opportunities to receive mentoring from senior Google DeepMind researchers
- Research budget of up to £6,000 per year (to fund e.g. equipment, other required materials, resources to directly support Fellow’s research)
- Travel fund of up to £7,000 per year (e.g. for academic conferences, workshops, summer schools, or other relevant academic events)
- Outreach fund of up to £6,000 per year to deliver outreach work for capacity building in AI and genomics (e.g. teaching and delivering workshops/courses to students, academics and other scientists)
- One time fixed Relocation allowance of up to £3,000 to support the Fellow in taking up their post
Who this opportunity is for
We anticipate this fellowship will suit researchers who:
– Have a strong background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computational methods
– Are excited by the challenge of applying AI to complex biological data
– Thrive in interdisciplinary environments
– Want to build or strengthen an independent research profile at the intersection of AI and genomics
– Are passionate about sharing their skills to build capacity in AI and genomics
Previous experience in genomics is beneficial, but not essential for this Fellowship. We encourage applicants with a background in AI/ML or computational methods who are interested in ‘discipline-hopping’, to apply their skills to ‘grand challenges’ in genomics research.
If you are motivated by scientific ambition, scale, and real-world impact we would love to hear from you.
Why bring your AI skills to genomics?
T
he Wellcome Sanger Institute is a world-leading genomics research centre. Our science is collaborative, data-driven, and globally impactful.
We are building an environment where AI is not just supporting science – it is the science. With one of the world’s largest sources of biological data, high-throughput experimental platforms, and a new institute-wide AI strategy, Sanger offers AI researchers the opportunity to apply advanced methods to some of biology’s hardest and most meaningful problems.
From modelling cellular behaviour and disease progression to genome assembly, spatial biology, and foundation models for global research, Sanger provides real-world scientific challenges where AI can uncover entirely new biological insights, not just optimise existing systems.
The Institute is investing in AI talent, scalable infrastructure, open and trustworthy models, and responsible AI practices, creating a collaborative setting where machine learning researchers can work alongside experimental scientists and see their algorithms directly shape discovery.
For AI researchers looking to move beyond benchmarks and into high-impact science, genomics at Sanger Institute offers a rare combination: massive datasets, ambitious scientific questions, and a mission to democratise AI-driven biological insight for the world.
Why join the Wellcome Sanger Institute?
As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, you will join a thriving research community on the Wellcome Genome Campus with access to many employee benefits, including access to:
- A wealth of Postdoc-specific training, careers and networking opportunities through Sanger’s Postdoc Programme and our partnership with the University Of Cambridge
- Technical training and professional development opportunities provided through Sanger’s core Learning & Engagement programme
- Family-friendly support including an ‘Access Grant’ to cover additional caring costs incurred as a result of attending training opportunities of conferences
- A global mobility and immigration service to ensure that you are supported throughout your time with us.
- A growing Campus environment with a rich calendar of social and leisure activities
Read more about Life at Sanger here
Register your interest
Please email: academicprogrammes@sanger.ac.uk if:
- You are a prospective Google DeepMind Fellow in Genomics and AI and would like to be added to our mailing list to be notified when applications open
- You are an AI/ML academic academic group leader at a UK university and are interested in partnering with us to support our Fellow’s project
