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 are looking to recruit a Senior bioinformatician to join our team to conduct large-scale analyses of bacterial genomes and biochemical structures, with a focus on the bacterial capsule. This will be a fixed term externally funded position.

About the Role:

This role will conduct analyses to uncover fundamental biological insights into capsule composition, diversity, and function. The role will map the genetic and structural landscape of the bacterial capsule. You will apply advanced AI and machine learning models to predict capsular structure directly from genomic data. This post offers an exciting opportunity to join an international research team at Wellcome Sange Institute and closely collaborate with Lees Group at EMBL-EBI.

About You:

We welcome application from candidates who recently completed their PhD as well as those with previous postdoctoral experience. We are seeking to appoint a talented and motivated individual with a keen interest in microbial genomics, biochemistry and AI to understand bacterial capsule.

The role requires previous experience in microbial genomics, statistical genetics, AI, or a related discipline, with a demonstrated expertise in applying bioinformatics and AI to analyse complex datasets.

About Us:

This 1.5-year post will be based in the Bentley Group, part of the Parasites and Microbes at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The Institute has a world class record of pioneering the use of large-scale genomic data analysis to understand pathogen biology, epidemiology and evolution.

You will join a team that is engaged in many exciting research topics such as person-to-person transmission of pathogens, global spread of high-risk strains and evolution of resistance to antibiotics and vaccines. We are a multi-disciplinary team that combines the expertise of microbiologists, mathematicians and bioinformaticians.

Here's a selection of recent and past papers that gives an overview of our interests:

-Genetic Analysis of the Capsular Biosynthetic Locus from All 90 Pneumococcal Serotypes

- Update on the evolving landscape of pneumococcal capsule types: new discoveries and way forward

Essential Technical Skills:

• PhD and equivalent experience in statistical genetics, microbial genomics, computational biology, or a related discipline
  
• Demonstrated experience in analysing genomic data and applying AI approaches on biological research
  
• Ability to design, perform and interpret statistical analysis
  
• Proficiency in a scripting language
  
• Proven track record of publishing papers
  

Essential Competencies and Behaviours:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  
• Excellent communication skills, ability to interact with a multi-disciplinary team to develop and maintain good working relationships
  
• Strong problem-solving skills
  
• Strong attention to detail
  
• Keen to learn and share scientific ideas
  

Other Information:

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Stephen Bentley (#removed#)

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter explaining your motivation for applying and how your skills and experience meet the above essential criteria and included on role profile

• Salary per annum: £44,905 to £52,000 dependent upon skills and experience
  
• Informatician/ Data Scientist job family: Grade 2 Role Profile
  
• Closing Date: 20th July 2025
  
• Recruitment Process: Shortlisting w/c 21st July, Zooms Interviews w/c 28th July, Face to face interviews w/c 4th August
  
• Contract Type: 17 monthsFixed Term Contract due to external funding
  

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.