NATURE PODCAST01 January 2026More refined AI models, advancements in human gene editing and the continuing impact of the Trump Team on science — we run through what to look out for over the next 12 months.ByNick Petrić Howe &Miryam Naddaf1Nick Petrić HoweView author publicationsSearch author on: PubMed Google ScholarMiryam NaddafMiryam Naddaf is a science writer based in London.View author publicationsSearch author on: PubMed Google ScholarYou have full access to this article via your institution.Download the Nature Podcast 01 January 2026In this episode, reporter Miryam Naddaf joins us to talk about the big science events to look out for in 2026. We’ll hear about: small-scale AI models that could outcompete Large Language Models in reasoning, clinical trials of gene editing to treat rare human disorders, a sample collection mission from Phobos, and how changes to US policy by the Trump team are expected to impact science.Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music or your favourite podcast app. An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast is available too.doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-04114-0 If the AI bubble bursts, what will it mean for research? Japan’s successful Moon landing was the most precise ever Personalized gene editing helped one baby: can it be rolled out widely? Grant cuts, arrests, lay-offs: Trump made 2025 a tumultuous year for scienceSubjectsMachine learningGene therapyAstronomy and astrophysicsPolicyLatest on:Machine learningGene therapyAstronomy and astrophysicsJobs Postdoctoral Fellow in Radiation Cancer TherapyWe are seeking skilled and enthusiastic candidates for Postdoctoral Fellow positions in the Radiation Cancer TherapyDallas, Texas (US)UT Southwestern Medical Center, BIRTLabPhD Candidate (m/f/d)Part of the DFG-funded Research Training Group ‘GRK 2989: Targeting Cellular Interfaces in Reperfused Acute Myocardial Infarction (TCI repAMI)’Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen (DE)Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V.Westlake University PhD Fellowship for 9 Programs in Science, Engineering, and Technology FieldsThe Westlake Fellowship provides funding for global talent to study PhD programs in 9 areas of science, engineering, and technology.Hangzhou, Zhejiang (CN)Westlake University Office of Academic AffairsGlobal Recruitment for Faculty, Postdocs, and Specialists at Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, CASSeeking exceptional Senior/Junior PIs, Postdocs, and Core Specialists globally year-roundHangzhou, ChinaHangzhou Institute of Medicine Chinese Academy of Sciences (HIMCAS)