When I joined Encode earlier this year, I was excited by the chance to connect top AI talent with leading scientific labs to drive breakthrough discoveries. After a whirlwind month of meeting researchers, founders, and builders across the UK, one thing is clear: the demand for AI in science has never been greater.
Today, we are thrilled to announce that applications for the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship are officially open! Powered by ARIA, is designed to embed top AI/ML practitioners in cutting-edge research labs to tackle some of the most ambitious scientific challenges of our time.
What is the Encode Fellowship?
Encode is designed for AI researchers eager to apply their expertise to meaningful scientific problems. Over the course of a year, fellows will be embedded in top UK institutions, working at the frontier of various scientific domains.
We've curated faculty-led projects across fields like climate modeling, neuromorphic computing, and robotics. But we also recognize that groundbreaking ideas often come from builders themselves. Fellows can also apply with their own project ideas, and we’ll help match them with the right host lab.
Fellows will receive:
- Competitive industry-level salary (up to £115,000, plus benefits)
- Access to top-tier computing resources, models, and datasets
- Mentorship from world-class AI and science leaders
- A community of the most ambitious scientists, founders, and AI/ML engineers
- Resources to scale discoveries into startups, research organizations, and beyond
What You'll Do as a Fellow
Encode fellows transform scientific research by “encoding” their technical expertise to world-class labs. This intensive 12-month experience includes:
- Advancing state-of-the-art research in a scientific discipline
- Developing AI-driven solutions and presenting findings to a cohort of peers
- Setting and delivering on ambitious 3, 6, and 12-month goals
- Directly influencing and shaping how AI technologies accelerate scientific discovery
Who Should Apply?
We’ve gotten a lot of questions about what makes an ideal Encode Fellow, so we put together a short job description.
You might be a great fit if:
- You believe AI will drive the next wave of scientific discoveries
- You’re fluent in coding, working with large datasets, and building/evaluating models
- You’re excited about working in immersion with top researchers in UK labs
- You have a track record of tackling big, ambitious projects
- You want to build something transformative – whether it’s a startup, a research group, or a new scientific field
- You have a bias toward deliverables and are excited about the rapid timeline expectations of a 12-month project
- You’re willing to relocate to the UK (visa assistance available)
Encode is designed for AI practitioners who want to apply their skills in a scientific setting – whether you’re coming from industry, academia, or the startup world. You don’t need a PhD, but you do need technical depth and a willingness to work under a tight timeline in a research-driven environment. The process will be highly competitive as we will only be able to fund a maximum of 8 fellows in this cohort.
A Unique Research Environment
Encode fosters a high-intensity, high-collaboration culture that drives rapid experimentation and breakthrough discoveries. Fellows will be embedded in host faculty labs, each with its own established culture and research focus.
To ensure fellows stay connected across disciplines, we provide:
- Regular cohort meetups (travel stipend included)
- Access to Encode’s network of AI and science leaders
- Opportunities for translation and commercialization support
We’re looking for fellows who can adapt quickly to new research environments while staying focused on producing real, high-impact work.
Join the Encode Community
Since announcing the fellowship last month, we’ve hosted 8 events across the UK, met incredible researchers and founders, and recruited 15+ faculty projects. The energy and interest in AI for Science has been overwhelming, and we’re just getting started.
We’re excited to welcome the first Encode Fellows and build a thriving community of AI researchers, scientists, and founders pushing the boundaries of discovery.
If this sounds like you, apply now.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in the Encode community soon! Sign up to be notified of future events.
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