The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

The Environment and Sustainability research initiative funded through the AI for Science and Government research programme (ASG) at The Alan Turing Institute (‘the Turing’) is looking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to develop new methods to identify, extract and refine molecular structures from cryo-electron microscopy image data. The candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team at the Turing and in close collaboration with groups at the Rosalind Franklin Institute (‘the Franklin’). Applications are welcome from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, including the biological and physical sciences, computer science, statistics, or mathematics, and particularly from candidates whose prior research has a strong computational focus.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Research Associate will work as part of a team to develop computer vision and machine learning approaches to enable the intelligent sampling of cryo-electron microscopy image data. These approaches may be informed by prior knowledge and/or physical models of molecular structure, with the aim of determining molecular structures with enhanced resolution, and detail regarding dynamic states.

The Research Associate will play an active part in all aspects of research from data preparation, to the development of research questions, modelling and analysis, and writing up/publication. Technical meetings will take place between the partner institutions, establishing a robust platform for developing future programmes between the biological sciences, the Turing, the Franklin and the wider scientific community. This is a collaborative research role and so it is crucial that you enjoy working with others within an interdisciplinary research environment.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• To develop ML or relevant techniques to understand, interpret, augment and extract features from experimental datasets
• Implement these techniques in a commonly used programming language, like Python
• Gather, curate and generate annotated datasets that can be used to develop ML algorithms
• To work collaboratively with researchers, senior investigators from across the Turing, the Franklin, and external partners on the project.
• Regular contact with staff internally and with the collaborators across the Franklin, STFC and Turing Institute sites
• Assist in organising and coordinating technical meetings and relevant project events as appropriate
• To attend and present research findings and papers at academic and professional conferences, and to contribute to the external visibility of the Turing and the Franklin.
• To participate in the organisation of research workshops and other events.
• To help create a friendly and approachable community of biosciences-focused experts, datasets and engineers, and facilitate integration with Turing's research programmes

• A PhD or equivalent level of experience in biological and physical sciences, computer science, statistics, or mathematics, and particularly from candidates whose prior research has a strong computational focus
• Demonstrable experience of coding in a language suitable for data science (e.g. python, R)
• Familiarity with one or more machine learning toolsets (e.g. SciKit Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.)
• Experience in managing, structuring, and analysing research data
• Excellent writing skills and proven ability to communicate complex, specialist or conceptual information/research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to initiate, plan, organise, implement and deliver programmes of work to tight deadlines.
• Participates in networks within the organisation or externally to share knowledge and information in order develop practice or help others learn.

Please see the Job description for a full breakdown of the duties and responsibilities as well as the person specification

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3546, or email [email protected].

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 23 January 2022 at 23:59

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full time post is offered on a fixed term basis until 31 January 2025. The annual salary is £37,000 - £42,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant with a salary range of £34,510 per annum.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership teal to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].