Google DeepMind Fellowship in Genomics and AI

One Fellowship is available, which will be awarded to an exceptional Early Career Researcher (ECR) who wants to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence in biological science and who is dedicated to building capacity at the interface between Genomics and AI, particularly in collaboration with communities and scientists in low and middle income countries (LMICs). 

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 through co-supervision from an AI expert at a UK university.

The aim is simple but ambitious: To develop novel AI approaches that unlock new insight from large-scale genomic data

With generous third party funding from GDM, the Fellowship package will include:

• 3 years’ Salary and a Research Fund to deliver original research that tackles a pre-defined ‘Grand Challenge’ in Genomics & AI
• A dedicated Outreach Fund to support impact beyond the Fellow’s core research. Both Sanger and GDM are committed to expanding participation in Genomics and AI research. Sanger advances this mission through initiatives including the International Fellows Programme, MPhil in Genomics Science and the Sanger Prize, while GDM has provided scholarship and fellowship funding to organisations since 2017 to help bring a wider range of experiences into AI and computer science. Reflecting this shared commitment, Fellows will be expected to present a compelling outreach vision. They will lead and deliver ambitious and original activities that build capacity in Genomics and AI, translating their ideas into tangible programmes, partnerships, or training opportunities with lasting impact, particularly in collaboration with communities and scientists in low and middle income countries (LMICs).
• A Travel Fund, which will not only enable the Fellow to disseminate research, build networks and raise their profile at conferences and workshops, but will also enable them to serve as an ambassador and point of contact for emerging Genomics & AI talent.
• Opportunities to receive mentoring from senior Google DeepMind researchers
• One time fixed Relocation allowance to support the Fellow in taking up their post

The GDM Fellow in Genomics and AI:

• Will be in the early stages of an academic career – this is a postdoctoral-type Fellowship. Generally, the Fellow is unlikely to be more than 8 years post-PhD on completion of the Fellowship (parental leave, career breaks and other mitigating circumstances will be taken into account).
• Will have completed a PhD in statistics, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, genomics with strong computational focus, or another highly relevant life sciences/technical field. 
• May have completed a previous period of postdoctoral research
• Will already hold AI/ML/Computer Science skills commensurate with tackling their chosen ‘Grand Challenge’, and will be expected to demonstrate how they will leverage their unique skills and expertise to develop the project further. Provided they possess the essential skills needed for the role, we will welcome applicants whose AI skills have been gained through formal undergraduate and postgraduate training in AI/ML/Computer Science, as well as Life Sciences researchers who have developed their AI skills along the way.
• Will be willing, and excited, to contribute to capacity building in AI and genomics through outreach work and ambassadorial commitments (e.g. teaching and delivering workshops/courses to students, academics and other scientists, and acting as a point of contact for emerging AI talent)
• Will be enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary research environment, where they will frequently act as a ‘translator’ at the intersection between AI/ML and Genomics, or vice versa
• Must ideally be able to start before the end of Dec 2026

Those from backgrounds unrepresented in Genomics and AI are particularly encouraged to apply for this call.

Given the nature of this postdoctoral-type Fellowship, and the associated third party funding from GDM, this Fellowship is not suitable for those who:

• Have already held competitive third party funded Postdoctoral, or Early Independence, Fellowships in AI from GDM, Sanger, any partner universities or other Third Parties (e.g. MCSA Postdoc Fellowship, EMBO Postdoc Fellowship, UKRI FLF, or other Career Development Fellowships)
• Have held the equivalent of “tenured”/salaried group leader/professorship-type roles to deliver independent research in any field through a team (this does not exclude those who have had formal line management responsibility at the Early Career “level” (e.g. during their time as a Student/Postdoc)

If you have taken a career break due to, for example, parental leave or illness, please get in touch as we may be able to offer flexibility.

Internal employees interested in applying for this role should apply through the internal Jobs Hub; internal applicants should not already be working in the ‘Grand Challenge’ area to which they are applying.

A number of ‘Grand Challenges’ have been pre-defined by members of Sanger Faculty and represent areas where AI is currently underutilised but has the potential to deliver significant societal benefit. It is one of these ‘Grand Challenges’ that will form the focus of the Fellow’s research during the Fellowship.

Applicants will be required to select ‘Grand Challenge’ areas of interest early in the application process. In their cover letter, they will then have the opportunity to share how they would further develop their selected ‘Grand Challenge’ leveraging their unique AI/ML/Computer Science background, skills and expertise.

Overviews of the ‘Grand Challenges’ will be uploaded here once the call is launched.

The call is not yet open, it is expected to launch in mid- to late-April. The information below is for guidance only and may be subject to change before we formally open for applications.

We anticipate a large volume of applications for this Fellowship. Applications will be made via Workday only; we will not accept any applications via email. Candidates should also note it is essential to tailor their cover letter to this specific role and the Sanger institute.

Applicants are likely to be asked to:

• State which ‘Grand Challenge’ area(s) they are interested in (up to 3 max)
• Provide a 2-page academic CV  
• Provide a 2-page cover letter covering:
  • Interest in Genomics and AI at Sanger specifically
  • Technical AI/ML/Computer Science skills and expertise, with some specific examples of how you have applied these skills
  • Why you have selected your chosen ‘Grand Challenge(s)’, and your ideas for developing the project(s) further leveraging your unique skills and expertise
  • Your vision, including specific plans, for how you will use the £7K/year outreach fund to build capacity in Genomics and AI, with a particular focus on collaborating with communities and scientists in LMICs.
  • Why you would be an approachable and inspirational ambassador for emerging talent in ‘Genomics & AI’

Applications will undergo a 3-stage review process that will likely include:

1. Review by the Sanger Faculty member of the ‘Grand Challenge’ selected, to identify their preferred candidate(s)
2. Shortlisting by the Fellowship Review Panel to decide which candidates to progress to interview across all ‘Grand Challenges’
3. An interview day hosted by the Fellowship Review Panel.