Join the Chemical Cognition Lab

Who we’re looking for

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We want people who care about what we’re trying to do here. In problem spaces and skills, our work mixes:

• Science: Chemistry, biochemistry, or problems that touch people’s lives. Small molecules, proteins, DNA, and sometimes no molecules at all.
• AI: Thinking about data in a mathy/statistical way.
• Engineering mindset: Solving problems and writing good, useful code.

Be good at one or two and want to get better at the rest. Just as much, we look for people who share our values: high-quality work, balance, and generous collaboration.

Non-traditional paths are welcome

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My path wasn’t a straight line. I grew up in Guanajuato, Mexico, went to public school, and started university studying math because I wanted to make video games. I played in two electroacoustic bands, worked as a barista for a year, and was the oldest PhD student in my cohort. Along the way I modelled placentas, did quantum chemistry, spent five years at Google teaching computers to predict smell, and then started this lab.

Don’t hide the things that got you here: a different field, time in industry, a career change, a gap, or a school nobody has heard of. It’s all part of your story, and I’d like to hear it.

How to reach out

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Email me at ben.sanchez@utoronto.ca with [Prospective] in the subject line, including:

• Which paper, project, or idea caught your eye, and why.
• Which part of the lab handbook you find interesting.
• Why you want to work on these problems.
• Any external funding (scholarships or fellowships).
• Your CV, plus links to code or projects you’re proud of.

Write it yourself

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I want to hear how you think. No AI-written emails.

Sadly, email sometimes gets overwhelming, so it is hard to respond always. If you haven’t heard back in two weeks, please send a nudge.