Research Associate in Computational Biology and Machine Learning

Loughborough University
Loughborough
2 weeks ago
Create job alert

Job description

School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical, and Materials Engineering
Full time - Fixed term - Hybrid We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join an exciting UKRI-funded project titled “AI-Driven Metabolic Modelling and Sustainability Assessment for Next-Generation Biorefineries.” The project aims to accelerate the design of sustainable biorefineries by leveraging computational biology and artificial intelligence to optimise microbial strain engineering and bioprocess strategies for converting agro-industrial residues into high-value chemicals. The successful candidate will: Develop genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) for engineered microbial strains. Design and implement machine learning algorithms to predict strain performance and optimise metabolic pathways. Integrate multi-omics datasets into computational workflows for systems-level analysis.  Perform techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) using tools such as Aspen Plus, openLCA, and BioSTEAM.  You will work within a multidisciplinary consortium of three leading UK universities and two industrial partners, contributing to the UK’s transition toward a circular bioeconomy. The role offers access to Loughborough University’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities, including the Lovelace cluster and regional Tier-2 resources, supporting large-scale computational modelling and machine learning tasks. The position is full-time and fixed-term for 24 months. Salary will be on Specialist and Supporting Academic Grade 6, from £35,608 - £46,049 per annum. For more information refer to the  Our Benefits  At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme

Where you work – access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial wellbeing – competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and wellbeing – discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting

 about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Statistical Genetics and Machine Learning (Fixed Term)

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Statistical Genetics and Machine Learning (Fixed Term)

Data Scientist

Research Assistant/Associate in Cardiac Computational Modelling via Machine Learning and Biomechanics Simulations

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Data Science

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Education

The Skills Gap in AI Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, how decisions are made, and how entire industries compete. From finance and healthcare to retail, manufacturing, defence, and climate science, AI is embedded in critical systems across the UK economy. Yet despite unprecedented demand for AI talent, employers continue to report severe recruitment challenges. Vacancies remain open for months. Salaries rise year on year. Candidates with impressive academic credentials often fail technical interviews. At the heart of this disconnect lies a growing and uncomfortable truth: Universities are not fully preparing graduates for real-world AI jobs. This article explores the AI skills gap in depth—what is missing from many university programmes, why the gap persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build a successful career in artificial intelligence.

Jobs Careers

AI Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

Changing career into artificial intelligence in your 30s, 40s or 50s is no longer unusual in the UK. It is happening quietly every day across fintech, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, government & professional services. But it is also surrounded by hype, fear & misinformation. This article is a realistic, UK-specific guide for career switchers who want the truth about AI jobs: what roles genuinely exist, what skills employers actually hire for, how long retraining really takes & whether age is a barrier (spoiler: not in the way people think). If you are considering a move into AI but want facts rather than Silicon Valley fantasy, this is for you.

Jobs

How to Write an AI Job Ad That Attracts the Right People

Artificial intelligence is now embedded across almost every sector of the UK economy. From fintech and healthcare to retail, defence and climate tech, organisations are competing for AI talent at an unprecedented pace. Yet despite the volume of AI job adverts online, many employers struggle to attract the right candidates. Roles are flooded with unsuitable applications, while highly capable AI professionals scroll past adverts that feel vague, inflated or disconnected from reality. In most cases, the issue isn’t a shortage of AI talent — it’s the quality of the job advert. Writing an effective AI job ad requires more care than traditional tech hiring. AI professionals are analytical, sceptical of hype and highly selective about where they apply. A poorly written advert doesn’t just fail to convert — it actively damages your credibility. This guide explains how to write an AI job ad that attracts the right people, filters out mismatches and positions your organisation as a serious employer in the AI space.

🍪 We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can review our Cookie Policy for more information.