Postdoctoral Fellow in computational modelling of NeuroImmune Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration (Open Targets)

Your role

As a Postdoctoral Fellow on the NeuroImmune Open Targets project, you will develop and apply integrative computational pipelines to dissect immune-cell phenotypes and cell–cell interactions across Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient tissues and matched induced pluripotent stem cells models.

Your group

Saez-Rodriguez Research Group in collaboration with Open-Targets

Your supervisor

Julio Saez-Rodriguez

You will

• Analyze large-scale single-cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets from human brain samples to identify shared multi-cellular pathological features

• Build and apply statistical and machine-learning methods to infer cell-cell signaling networks and causal drivers

• Develop pipelines to compare patient-derived data with hiPSC-derived models, identifying recapitulated phenotypes and candidate intervention targets

• Write up results for high-impact publications and present at international conferences

• Contribute to collaborative grant proposals and supervise junior team members

You have

• PhD in a relevant field with evidence of productive computational research

• Hands-on experience with single-cell and spatial data analysis workflows

• Strong statistical modelling and coding proficiency in R and/or Python

• Ability to translate complex computational results into biological insights

• A track record of (co)first-author publications and effective science communication

You may also have

• Demonstrated experience with single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics data analysis

• Experience with network biology computational tools

• Knowledge of immunology, especially microglial and T-cell biology

• Background in neurodegenerative disease biology (e.g., AD, PD, ALS) and/or familiarity with polygenic risk score analyses or rare-variant genetics would also be useful

Contract length: 2 year fixed term contract, with possibility for renewal to a maximum of 5 years.

Salary: Year 1 Stipend at rate of £3,307 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions.

How to Apply

Please submit:

1. A tailored cover letter highlighting your fit to the project and pointing to your code repository (e.g., GitHub)

2. Your CV with a list of publications

3. Contact details for three referees

Non-specific applications without a tailored expression of interest (cover letter) will not be considered.

Professional development support

The EMBL Fellows’ Career Service provides support and guidance to predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows across all six EMBL’s sites.

Working with a dedicated Careers Advisor, this invaluable service will help you to take informed decisions about your career planning both in the short and longer term. Whether your main interest is pursuing a career path in academia, exploring opportunities in industry or exploring an independent venture, the EMBL Fellows’ Career Service with provide you with a portfolio of activities and resources to help you.

To find out more please visit - EMBL-fellows-career-service

Why join us

Join a culture of innovation 
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential. 

Enjoy lots of employee benefits:

• Financial incentives: Monthly family and child allowances, generous stipend reviewed yearly, pension scheme, death benefit and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working patterns 

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family 

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year in addition to public holidays

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: On-site nursery (Heidelberg & Hinxton), 10 days of child sick leave, paid maternity & parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

• Benefits for non-residents: Visa and financial support to relocate if you're overseas

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants. 

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities. 

• Job location: All our fellowships are based on-site (for at least part of each week). If you are living overseas, you will receive a generous relocation package to support you. 

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Watch this video to find out what it's like to be a Postdoc at EMBL-EBI.

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date below.

Closing Date