Please note: Applications are now closed for this training school
The Robotics and AI for Materials Chemistry Winter School is a five-day intensive training programme focused on digital and automated chemistry, robotic systems, and AI-driven scientific discovery. Hosted at the University of Liverpool, the school is designed for PhD students and early-career researchers, or those new to digital chemistry and AI, and who want to build their capabilities in this rapidly evolving field. A strong working knowledge of Python is required to fully benefit from the practical sessions and technical content.
This Robotics and AI for Materials Chemistry Winter School will:
- Provide essential skills in digital chemistry
- Strengthen understanding of AI and machine learning, building on participants’ existing knowledge
- Offer hands-on experience with key tools and techniques for automated, intelligent lab environments
Participants will explore a range of cutting-edge topics, including:
- Digital twins for robotic chemists
- Bayesian optimisation for chemical discovery
- AI-driven robotic chemists
- Robotic manipulation for lab automation
- Simulation of robotic chemists
- Computer vision-led chemistry
- Multi-modal machine learning for science
- Agentic AI-based discovery
- Human-in-the-loop robotic discovery
Confirmed Speakers
Dr Felix Hanke
Cusp AI
Dr Manisha Dubey
University of Edinburgh
Dr Michele Caprio
University of Manchester
Dr Bojana Rankovic
EPFL
Dr Efi Psomopoulou
University of Bristol
Dr Shijing Sun
University of Cambridge
Prof. Subramanian Ramamoorthy
University of Edinburgh
Provisional Programme
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Invited Talk: Dr Felix Hanke | Invited Talk: Dr Michele Caprio | Practical Tutorial: Bayesian Optimisation for Chemistry – Dr Bojana Rankovic | Invited Talk: Dr Efi Psomopoulou | Invited Talk: Dr Shijing Sun |
| Practical Tutorial: Bayesian Optimisation Basics and Human-in-the-loop modelling’ – Dr Manisha Dubey | Practical Tutorial: Robot Simulation | Practical Tutorial: Robot Manipulation | Project Work | Invited Talk: Prof. Subramanian Ramamoorthy |
| Practical Tutorial: Machine Vision for Chemistry | Project Work | Project Work | Project Work | Project Presentations |
| Social Networking Event |
Accommodation and Travel
Please note that the registration fee does not include accommodation, travel or subsistence. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and transport during the Winter School.
We are happy to recommend the Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village, a modern hotel conveniently located within walking distance of the University of Liverpool campus. This hotel offers comfortable rooms, breakfast options and easy access to local amenities.
A social networking event will be hosted on one evening during the school and is included in the registration.
For those seeking alternative options, Liverpool offers a wide range of hotels, serviced apartments, and budget accommodations within easy reach of the University.
Liverpool is well-connected by rail, with Liverpool Lime Street Station approximately a 10-minute walk from the University campus. For those travelling by car, parking is available at the Paddington Village Car Park, located close to the University and the recommended hotel.
Airports:
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) – Around 30 minutes from the University by taxi or public transport. The airport offers flights to many UK and European destinations.
- Manchester Airport (MAN) – Around 1 hour by train or car, with direct rail connections to Liverpool Lime Street. This airport provides a wide range of international flight options.
How to Apply:
Places are limited and to ensure a balanced mix of expertise and perspectives we are asking applicants to apply. As demand is expected to be high, we ask all interested participants to complete the application form by 24th October 2025 and decisions will be given to applicants by 31st October 2025.
Please note: all bookings are non-refundable.
Contact details:
For questions related to this event please contact the AIchemy project management team at info@aichemy.ac.uk.
The Organising Committee:
| Alchemy Hub | University of Liverpool |
| Dr Ben Alston (University of Liverpool) Caroline Woods (University of Liverpool) Dr. Chris Mellor (Imperial) Aysel Sarzosa Llerena (Imperial) | Dr Gabriella Pizzuto Dr Xenofon Evangelopoulos Prof. Alessandro Troisi Minh Cao |
