Research Appointment Position

Location

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Description

The Biological and Life Sciences Division at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of research at the intersection of genomics, multi-omics, personalized medicine, precision therapeutics, epidemiology, and artificial intelligence (AI). A key initiative within the division is the Human Phenotype Project—a groundbreaking, large-scale longitudinal cohort and biobank designed to identify novel molecular markers with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value.

This project involves deep profiling of participants through comprehensive data collection on medical history, lifestyle and nutritional habits, vitals, anthropometrics, blood tests, continuous glucose and sleep monitoring, and multi-omic molecular profiling, including genetics, transcriptomics, microbiomics, metabolomics, and immune system markers. The division leverages this data and advanced AI, medical, and computational models to generate insights into disease mechanisms, identifying novel biomarkers and developing state-of-the-art predictive models for disease onset and progression. These models are translated into personalized prevention strategies and innovative therapeutic interventions.

Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

Computational and systems biology

Medical and health informatics

Personalized medicine

Foundation AI models

Agentic and robotic workflow management systems

Multi-omics and integrative data analysis

Population-level cohort and EHR analysis

Epidemiology

Pandemics

Biomedical imaging

The Biological and Life Sciences Division is recruiting for our interdisciplinary team of researchers to advance work on projects such as the Human Phenotype Project and Emirati Genome Project data.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct high-quality research in the field of AI, focusing on multi-omics data analysis and fusion for precision medicine

Design and implement innovative AI algorithms and models to solve complex problems

Collaborate with team members and contribute to ongoing research projects

Analyze and interpret research data, and present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences

Write and publish research papers in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and conferences

Present research at national and international conferences and meetings

Collaborate with various research groups across the world

Stay up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the field

Help supervise PhD and MSc students and research engineers, as needed

Contribute to the development and maintenance of our lab’s AI research infrastructure

Participate in grant writing and organizational activities

Participate in educational and outreach activities

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is a world-leading university dedicated to advancing AI as a global force for good. The UAE’s visionary leaders established MBZUAI to educate and develop top talent, conduct advanced research, foster an innovation ecosystem, and act as a strategic think tank for the public and private sectors.

The university attracts world-class thinkers and doers in computer science, AI, bioscience, humanities, and beyond. Our groundbreaking academic research initiatives are working on developing future solutions that will impact the world and change the way we imagine things.

Why Join MBZUAI?

Top-tier compensation: Competitive salaries aligned with leading global academic institutions

Exceptional benefits:

Comprehensive health and life insurance

Relocation support for international hires

Live in Abu Dhabi: World’s safest city, year-round sunshine, rich culture, and modern amenities

Industry and government collaborations: Work with top AI researchers, leading tech firms, and policymakers

Qualifications

This position requires a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field

Strong background and expertise in data science, bioinformatics, network science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, or related areas

Solid understanding of AI algorithms, models, and frameworks

Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics and AI research (e.g., Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Nextflow)

Record of publications in top-tier conferences or journals in bioinformatics, AI, or related fields

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit the following items:

Cover letter

Curriculum vitae including a list of publications, dates when you completed all degrees, including BSc, MSc, and PhD, the areas or subjects in which degrees were completed (e.g., Computer Science), and the names of the supervisors of these

Transcripts of all higher education degrees and certificates

Statement of teaching interests, experience, and philosophy