Please note: We do not accept applications via LinkedIn Easy Apply. To be considered, kindly submit your application through our official Airtable form: https://airtable.com/appawwYbbqR45RzXL/pagJULYrps305mGgu/form
Neela Biotech Ltd
đź’Ľ Part-time / Full-time
đź“ŤHybrid role based in Cambridge, UK
We are looking for a highly skilled and driven AI Engineer to join our team from 1st October 2025. You will help push the boundaries where AI advances microbiology and process engineering to shape the future of sustainable aviation!
Who are we?
Neela Biotech is a Cambridge-based start-up, leveraging advances in synthetic biology and AI to produce scalable, carbon-negative jet fuel at low cost. The demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is growing rapidly, driven by global mandates and airlines' net-zero commitments. However, current SAF pathways are struggling to scale up due to high energy and capital cost requirements.
Our novel Controlled Microbial Upcycling (CMU) process works with diverse feedstocks and builds upon existing infrastructure for rapid scale-up. We are proud to be part of IAGi accelerator, an exclusive innovation programme run by British Airways’ and Iberia’s parent company IAG. We are also supported by the Spark Accelerator program run by King’s E-Lab and Founders at the University of Cambridge.
Recently, we secured a six-figure non-dilutive grant alongside VC investment. Neela Biotech won the first prize in the 2025 Climate Challenge for its innovative approach and recently won in the UK finals of the ClimateLaunchpad, the world’s largest green business competition.
You will be joining a passionate team dedicated towards powering the future of flight with carbon-negative fuels!
What you will do:
- Support a project funded by the Henry Royce Institute in collaboration with the University of Cambridge.
- Define and maintain the architecture, tools, and workflows that power the digital core of our biotech platform.
- Acquire, pre-process, and standardise microbiome and process datasets from literature and in-house experiments.
- Develop and implement probabilistic and active learning techniques to guide experimental design and improve biotechnological system performance.
- Collaborate closely with Neela’s CTO to train, validate, and evaluate models using both in silico metrics and experimental feedback.
- Integrate trained models with bioprocess simulations to support monitoring, analysis, and optimisation of experimental systems.
Who we are looking for:
- Above all, we value people who share our vision for a sustainable future, purpose-driven, passionate about their work, and eager to grow alongside us.
- MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Computational Biology, or a closely related discipline; or at least three years of relevant industry experience.
- Strong foundational knowledge of biology and chemistry, ideally with experience applying AI to biological problems and working with lab-in-the-loop systems.
- Proven ability to independently design, implement, and deploy models, covering the end-to-end pipeline from data processing to model evaluation and troubleshooting.
- Strong proficiency in Python and experience with relevant machine learning libraries (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch, LightGBM) and data processing tools.
- Strong problem-solving mindset, able to work across disciplines and to tackle complex technical challenges.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to convey technical concepts clearly.
- Strong teamwork skills while also comfortable working independently.
What we offer:
- Competitive rewards: Salary and equity options tailored to your skills and experience.
- Flexibility: Adaptable working arrangements, including the option to work part-time and hybrid.
- Freedom to innovate: Develop new ideas and shape the AI backbone of a pioneering biotech platform.
- Tangible impact: Optimise biological systems where your models are validated in the lab, not just in silico.
- Mission-driven team: Join a team united by the vision for powering the future of flight with carbon-negative fuels.
- High growth environment: Work in a fast-paced setting with diverse opportunities for rapid career growth. As one of our early team members, you will help shape the company’s direction.
- At present, we are unable to offer work visa sponsorship.
Note: Even if you don’t meet every listed requirement above, don’t worry! Your unique skills and experiences might be exactly what we are looking for. We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome applicants of all races, ancestries, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages, citizenships, backgrounds, marital statuses, abilities, and gender identities. We especially encourage individuals from groups underrepresented in climate tech to apply.
How to apply?
Please note that we do not accept applications via LinkedIn Easy Apply. To be considered, kindly submit your application through our official Airtable form:
https://airtable.com/appawwYbbqR45RzXL/pagJULYrps305mGgu/form
We will then be in touch for the next steps. The application deadline is 29th August 2025, but we review submissions on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. For any questions, please email: info@neelabiotech.com
Recruitment Agency Notice: Neela Biotech does not accept unsolicited CVs from external agencies. Any submissions made without a signed agreement in place will not establish any contractual or fee obligations. Candidates referred in this manner will be treated as direct applicants, and Neela Biotech reserves the right to use the information at its discretion.
