"Junior Research Groups (m/f/d) AI in Health and Infection Disease"

Job Details

FIGHTING PATHOGENS TOGETHER!

Junior Research Groups (f/m/d)

Job advertisement no.: 123/2025

Starting date: As soon as possible

Duration of employment: The contract will initially run for 5 years

Working time: 39 hours per week

Salary: E 15 TVöD Bund

Place of work: Braunschweig

Probation period: 6 months

Closing date: 26.11.2025

Human Microbe Alliance for Universal Health (HUMAN) program

HUMAN is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK). The program is based on an integrative approach that applies novel technologies, systems biology, medical/life sciences and informatics to understand, predict and therapeutically target the mechanisms underlying health and disease.

The HUMAN program is linked to and benefits from the BMFTR-funded Microbial Stargazing (MICROSTAR) program. MICROSTAR focuses on microbes, their effector mechanisms and their adaptation strategies in competition with other organisms. Together, HUMAN-MICROSTAR applies a holistic and comprehensive approach that has the potential to provide groundbreaking insights and new solutions for human health in the context of its microbial environment.

More details here: www.helmholtz-hzi.de/human-microstar

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) is Germany’s largest academic institution dedicated to infection research. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest research organization, and a member of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). We cooperate with our regional university partners, TU-Braunschweig (TU-BS), the Hannover Medical School (MHH), the Leibniz University Hannover (LUH), the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo), and Göttingen University.

Within the newly established HUMAN program, the HZI invites applications for Junior Research Group Leaders to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to address the following focus areas:

1. AI-supported Mechanistic Mathematical Modelling and Simulation
2. Computational Network Sciences and AI for Biology and Health

Join us to advance AI-driven mechanistic modeling and simulation, integrating dynamic systems theory and explainable AI to unlock deeper insights into biological systems and accelerate innovations in health research. Alternatively, you will help us to advance computational network sciences and AI for deeper, explainable insights into biological systems, driving innovations that will shape the future of health research.

The groups will be embedded within the vibrant scientific environment of the Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS) and is part of the Lower Saxony Center for Artificial Intelligence and Causal Methods in Medicine (CAIMed; www.caimed.de), providing exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Overview Positions:

1. AI-supported Mechanistic Mathematical Modelling and Simulation
2. You will pioneer advanced AI integration into mechanistic modelling and simulation. Your group will work on:

• Lifecycle-structure discovery and model conception
• Calibration and data assimilation
• Uncertainty quantification
• Surrogate and operator learning to accelerate simulation
• Optimal experimental design
• Model-based control / decision support
• Applications with a focus on biological systems and health

1. Computational Network Sciences and AI for Biology and Health
2. You will develop innovative, AI-driven research programs that combine:

• Network theory and AI
• Mechanistic mathematical modeling
• Reconstruction, analysis, and prediction of complex biological network behaviour

1. These positions include strong emphases on emergent behaviour, modularity, and biological / health applications.

Requirements:

• PhD in one of the following fields: Applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics, Computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology
• Proven expertise in: Mechanistic modelling (ODE / PDE), agent-based models, Mathematical analysis of biological systems and networks, AI / ML applications in modelling, simulation, and network analysis
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Hybrid modelling, neural differential equations, or physics-informed neural networks, Equation discovery, Bayesian inference / uncertainty quantification, Surrogate modeling / operator learning
• Strong theoretical understanding of sub-network dynamics, modularity, and system behaviour
• Programming proficiency: Python, Julia, MATLAB, R, or C++ (including ML frameworks, version control, and reproducible workflows)
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines, including clinical / experimental teams
• Experience supervising and mentoring students
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in securing third-party funding
• Excellent communication skills (English and German)

We offer you:

Your Junior Research Group will be funded for a period of 5 years initially. Funding covers the group leader position, personnel as well as consumables and start-up lab equipment. The positions come with options for tenure and junior professorships at local universities. Based on an external review, successful group leaders will be offered an extension of the group for up to 4 years and a permanent position as group leader at HZI.

We offer competitive salaries and access to cutting-edge infrastructures and research networks. You will benefit from dedicated research support, onboarding and granting offices, mentorship, and participation in post-graduate programs.

• An attractive and varied job in a future-oriented research institute with an international environment in Braunschweig
• Flexible working hours, part-time models
• A corporate culture of appreciation and promotion of equal opportunities
• Extensive training and continuing education opportunities
• A family office to support family and career as well as childcare offers
• Interesting additional public service benefits
• Option of an additional employer subsidy for the job ticket

People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference.

The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity and integration.

How to apply:

Please include with your application a cover letter, CV, a list of publications, a separate outline of previous achievements and future research interests (max. 2 pages), a completed application form, an outline of how DEI will be implemented in your future laboratory (max. half a page) and the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of three references.

For further information, please contact Dr. Dirk Spitzer, phone +49 (0) 531 6181-2066, e-mail: dirk.spitzer@helmholtz-hzi.de

Please send your complete application, quoting the reference number 123/2025, to the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH, Human Resources Department, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany or by e-mail.