Are you passionate about applying machine learning, statistics, and computational modelling to uncover the biological mechanisms behind disease? Join the internationally recognised European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) as a Postdoctoral Fellow and help pioneer new computational approaches to understand complex diseases using cutting-edge single-cell and spatial multi-omics data. Your Supervisor Julio Saez-Rodriguez The Saez-Rodriguez Research Group Working in the Saez Rodriguez Group, you’ll collaborate with leading scientists across Europe to uncover how host–microbiome interactions influence diseases such as colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. This role is funded through a prestigious European Research Council Synergy Grant, offering the opportunity to work at the forefront of interdisciplinary computational biology. The Opportunity As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will develop novel computational methods and open-source tools to extract disease mechanisms from complex biological datasets. Your work will integrate advanced statistics, machine learning, and prior biological knowledge to analyse data generated from cutting-edge technologies such as spatial metatranscriptomics and image-based spatial omics. You will collaborate closely with internationally renowned groups at: Leiden University Medical Center (Group of Georg Zeller) KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Groups of Stefania Giacomello and Eduardo Villablanca) Together, you will design and implement computational frameworks to study disease mechanisms at unprecedented spatial resolution. What You’ll Do Develop and apply computational methods and machine learning models to analyse single-cell and spatial multi-omics datasets. Investigate the biological mechanisms behind colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease through integrated data analysis. Design modelling strategies combining prior molecular knowledge, public datasets, and novel experimental data. Build robust, open-source software tools following best practices in reproducible research. Drive your own research projects while collaborating with international partners. Publish findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and present results at international conferences. Identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant proposals. Support and mentor junior lab members while contributing to the collaborative culture of the group. You Will Have PhD in statistics, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related field (or biomedical field with strong computational expertise). Proven experience applying computational or statistical methods to biological data. Strong programming skills in R and/or Python. Expertise in statistical modelling and data analysis. A track record of peer-reviewed publications. Experience presenting research at international conferences or scientific meetings. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. You May Also Have Experience working with single-cell or multi-omics datasets. Experience integrating microbiome profiling with host molecular data. Background in developing computational methods for biological applications. Contract length: 3-year grant limited fixed term contract Salary: For individuals who have obtained their PhD, the Year 1 Stipend rate is applied at £3,383.52 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. For individuals who are yet to be awarded their PhD, an initial predoctoral rate will apply at £2,436.14 per month after tax but excluding pension and insurance contributions. Next Steps: This position is advertised from Monday, 9th March for 3 weeks, with a scheduled closing date of Sunday, 29th March 2026 and we invite you to apply as soon as possible. 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 believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds. 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 29/03/2026