Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
We seek a Senior Research Data Scientist with machine learning knowledge working between Haniffa Lab (https://haniffalab.com/) and Lotfollahi Lab (https://www.sanger.ac.uk/group/lotfollahi-group/). This collaborative project will leverage investments in observing biological systems at cellular resolution (such as the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) data) to develop state-of-the-art generative machine learning (ML) tools that can model cellular behaviours across various modalities and scales. You will work within an interdisciplinary team of life and computer/ML scientists, with a shared goal of improving our understanding of the rules of life and using this to improve health for all. This role will bridge between both groups and the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering their portfolio of scientific research projects as part of the broader team strategy.
About the role
You will be expected to work on and lead specific computational biology/machine-learning projects at the intersection of single-cell biology, spatial ‘omics and machine learning. Your work will contribute to the overall aims of this collaboration which are to address two fundamental yet significant questions: “Can we predict cellular changes in time?” and “Can we build a generative model to predict the progression and treatment rationale for skin diseases?”. To achieve this, you will work with open-source software, proposing, developing, and maintaining new solutions to analyse and interpret large-scale single-cell datasets.
Our teams are well-positioned to tackle this problem with experience in both generating and analysis datasets, including millions of cells across multiple tissues and conditions (e.g., disease, healthy), a detailed understanding in the training of large-scale ML models and a track record of undertaking large data-science projects. The HaniffaLab team leverages large-scale single cell omics to address various areas with focus on human development, developing immune system, and skin health and disease across the human lifespan. Lotfallahi’s lab develop machine and deep learning tools that exploit such high content biological data to develop predictive and generative models that drive high-throughput biological discovery and validation in mechanistic biology and translational health care.
You will be responsible for
About You
You will be supported in your personal and professional development and have the opportunity to lead peer-reviewed publications around using genetics and genomics approaches to guide drug discovery and present them at national and international conferences.
Essential Skills
To be successful in the Senior Data Scientist role, you will have the following:
In addition to the above technical skills, you will also have the following:
Relevant publication of the groups
Lotfollahi, M., Naghipourfar, M., Luecken, M. D., Khajavi, M., Büttner, M., Wagenstetter, M., Avsec, Ž., Gayoso, A., Yosef, N., Interlandi, M. & Others. Mapping single-cell data to reference atlases by transfer learning. Nature Biotechnology 1–10 (2021). Lotfollahi, M., Wolf, F. A. & Theis, F. J. scGen predicts single-cell perturbation responses. Nature Methods 16, 715–721 (2019). Lotfollahi, M., Rybakov, S., Hrovatin, K., Hediyeh-Zadeh, S., Talavera-López, C., Misharin, A. V. & Theis, F. J. Biologically informed deep learning to query gene programs in single cell atlases. Nature Cell Biology (2023). Goh, I., Botting, R. A., Rose, A., Webb, S., … & Haniffa, M. Yolk sac cell atlas reveals multiorgan functions during human early development. Science (2023). Stephenson, E., Reynolds, G., Botting, R. A., Calero-Nieto, F. J., Morgan, M. D., Tuong, Z. K., Bach, K., Sungnak, W., Worlock, K. B., & … Haniffa, M. Single-cell multi-omics analysis of the immune response in COVID-19. Nature medicine (2021). Jardine, L., Webb, S., Goh, I., Quiroga Londoño, M., Reynolds, G., … & Haniffa, M. Blood and immune development in human fetal bone marrow and Down syndrome. Nature (2021). Gopee, N., Huang, N., … & Haniffa, M. A human prenatal skin cell atlas reveals immune cell regulation of skin morphogenesis. Biorxiv (2023).
Other Information
Please upload your current CV and complete our short application form to apply.
Closing date: 25.04.24
Contract type: 3 years
Salary: £44,905 - £53,887 dependent on skills and experience
Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:
We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.
We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.
Our Benefits:
We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.
Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.
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