New AI in genomics fellowship with the sanger institute and Google DeepMind
A new Google DeepMind Academic Fellowship will be hosted at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in genomics through a first-of-its-kind opportunity.
The Google DeepMind Academic Fellowship Programme aims to support leading edge postdoctoral research in AI by providing opportunities to early-career researchers to develop their academic and leadership skills. This marks the first time a Google DeepMind fellow has focused on genomics.1
AI provides a new and ever-improving ability to unlock insights from genomic and molecular data that can build our understanding of fundamental biology, with benefits for human health, food security, environmental science, and beyond. While genomics as a field is already ripe with AI approaches, this fellowship will focus on research topics where AI is not yet being widely applied, with potential for global impact.
The Sanger Institute’s researchers already recognise how AI-powered technologies are transforming genomics from analysing different species’ genomes to extracting insights from large multi-omics datasets — which combine many types of biological information such as genes, RNA, proteins and metabolites —and conducting experiments that, with the help of AI, elucidate foundational biological processes.
The new fully funded fellowship will provide a unique opportunity to build on this momentum, advancing the use of AI in genomics within a world-leading research environment.
The fellow will be supported by one of the Sanger Institute’s faculty members and will collaborate closely with AI experts from within a UK university (the university will be selected by Sanger Institute to support the appointed Fellow).
Fellowships are open to early-career researchers who have completed a PhD in a relevant field, have AI experience,2 and are available to start a postdoc. Alongside support from the Sanger Institute and their partner university, these fellows have the opportunity to be mentored by senior Google DeepMind researchers. Google DeepMind does not direct their research, and fellows are free to pursue any research direction they wish.
“Identifying and propelling the next generation of high-potential researchers to accelerate science using AI is central to the Google DeepMind Academic Fellowship Programme. By partnering with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, this fellowship brings together world-leading expertise in AI and genomics, enabling research with the potential for real world impact across life sciences.”
Anna Koivuniemi, Head of the Google DeepMind Impact Accelerator
“Our partnership with Sanger is driven by a shared commitment to harness the recent surge in AI to accelerate our understanding of biology, health, and disease. While AI is rapidly transforming genomics, critical research areas remain underexplored. The fellowship empowers a dedicated researcher to bridge this gap, targeting topics with global impact.”
Agata Laydon, Science Lead at the Google DeepMind Impact Accelerator
“This partnership with Google DeepMind is incredibly exciting for the Institute. AI plays a critical role in understanding and solving complex problems in genomics, and this initiative will provide financial and mentoring resources to empower the fellow as they pursue their own independent research.”
Dr Alice Mann, Head of Academic Programmes at the Wellcome Sanger Institute
“The Wellcome Sanger Institute combines world-leading genomics science, large-scale high-quality data generation and a clear strategic commitment to advancing AI for science. Through our dedicated AI strategy and partnerships, we are creating an environment where an AI Fellow can tackle ambitious challenges and deliver transformative biological insight.”
Dr James McCafferty, Chief Information Officer at the Wellcome Sanger Institute
Applications will open in late-Spring 2026.
For questions or queries, please email:
academicprogrammes@sanger.ac.uk
More information
Notes to Editors:
- So far, seven universities in the UK have launched Google DeepMind funded fellowship programs. For details, refer to the relevant university websites: https://deepmind.google/education/#access-to-ai-and-science
- Experience in AI is required for this role, including applicants with a PhD in AI transitioning into genomics research (including from industry) as well as genomics PhDs with significant AI project experience.
