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 seeking a Senior Bioinformatician for a 2 year contract to support single-cell transcriptomic studies in the Vento-Tormo Lab. This role will aid multiple computational projects across the lab, focusing on single cell analysis of the immune system using cutting edge analysis frameworks and AI-driven approaches. The position involves working within an interdisciplinary team of reproductive biologists, immunologists, wet lab scientists and computer scientists.
About Us
This post is in part funded by Open Targets. Open Targets is a public-private partnership involving the Wellcome Sanger Institute, a world-leading genomics institution, EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), a global leader in the management, integration and analysis of public domain life science data, and world-leading pharmaceutical companies GSK, Sanofi, MSD, Pfizer, and Genentech.
The Open Targets (OT) research programme generates and analyses data to connect targets to diseases, assess the strength of this evidence, and help identify and prioritise targets for drug discovery. This includes evidence that causally links targets and diseases, as well as foundational data that helps us understand biological processes and disease progression more deeply
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Key Publications Of The Team
- CellPhoneDB v5: inferring cell-cell communication from single-cell multiomics data.
Troulé K, Petryszak R, Cakir B, Cranley J, Harasty A, Prete M, Tuong ZK, Teichmann SA, Garcia-Alonso L, Vento-Tormo R. Nat Protoc. 2025 Mar 25.
- Spatial multiomics map of trophoblast development in early pregnancy.
Arutyunyan A, Roberts K, Troulé K, Wong FCK, Sheridan MA, Kats I, Garcia-Alonso L, Velten B, Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Sancho-Serra C, Shilts J, Handfield LF, Marconato L, Tuck E, Gardner L, Mazzeo CI, Li Q, Kelava I, Wright GJ, Prigmore E, Teichmann SA, Bayraktar OA, Moffett A, Stegle O, Turco MY, Vento-Tormo R.
Nature. 2023 Apr;616(7955):143-151.
- Single-cell roadmap of human gonadal development.
Garcia-Alonso L, Lorenzi V, Mazzeo CI, Alves-Lopes JP, Roberts K, Sancho-Serra C, Engelbert J, Marečková M, Gruhn WH, Botting RA, Li T, Crespo B, van Dongen S, Kiselev VY, Prigmore E, Herbert M, Moffett A, Chédotal A, Bayraktar OA, Surani A, Haniffa M, Vento-Tormo R.
Nature. 2022 Jul;607(7919):540-547.
- Robust temporal map of human in vitro myelopoiesis using single-cell genomics.
Alsinet C, Primo MN, Lorenzi V, Bello E, Kelava I, Jones CP, Vilarrasa-Blasi R, Sancho-Serra C, Knights AJ, Park JE, Wyspianska BS, Trynka G, Tough DF, Bassett A, Gaffney DJ, Alvarez-Errico D, Vento-Tormo R.
Nat Commun. 2022 May 24;13(1):2885.
What you'll be doing?
- Generating and leading the data analysis, and interpreting large single-cell genomics data, including multi-omic datasets (e.g. scRNAseq, scATAC).
- Using molecular and cellular biology expertise to independently interpret complex data, make context-aware analytical decisions and design analyses that are guided by biological insight.
- Implementing innovative and creative data analysis strategies to aid in the pursuit of biological insights and clinical translation using single-cell research.
- Working in a team to answer research questions formulated together with the members of Vento-Tormo Lab, and with team members across the wider Institute as appropriate. Contribute to problem-solving discussions to solve complicated or multifaceted problems and generate novel ideas and new approaches.
- Organising and keep track of developed codes and generated data within the group.
- Providing feedback and results to project leaders when required to achieve deadlines.
- Preparing high-quality data reports and manuscripts to communicate results, including through publication and presentations at scientific meetings.
- Taking a full part in the general duties of the team, and to pass on skills and knowledge to other team members and visitors.
About You
You will join an interdisciplinary team of immunologists, reproductive biologists, wet lab scientists and computer scientists with deep expertise in single cell genomics. We all complement each other and work together in supporting Vento-Tormo’s mission to address worldwide challenges in immunity and women’s health. This is an exciting opportunity to work in single-cell genomics to understand how the immune system develops, maintains health and is altered during disease.
You will be supported in your personal and professional development and have the opportunity to lead peer-reviewed publications on single cell genomics approaches and will also have the opportunity to develop your skills in machine learning and AI models.
Essential Skills
- MSC in a relevant discipline such as Computational Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biomedicine, or a quantitative field (e.g. Physics, Engineering, Applied Statistics/Mathematics); or equivalent working experience in Bioinformatics or a related area.
- Experience programming in high-level scripting languages (Preferably Python and/or R), and the Unix Shell
- Understanding and some experience in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, data processing and high-throughput data analysis
- Extensive experience in a research environment with an established track record of productivity through publications, or writing reports in the industry
- Enthusiastic, proactive attitude and desire to learn
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work collaboratively to develop practical and creative solutions
- Ability to organise own workload and manage competing priorities
- Ability to summarise complex information and present to a wide variety of audiences in a concise and logical manner
- Demonstrates inclusivity and respect for all
Other Information
For further role details, please see the role profile.
Salary per annum (dependent upon skills and experience): £44,905-£53,349
Application Process: Please apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out above.
Closing date: 2nd October 2025
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.
