Research Group Leader (Career Track) Artificial Intelligence – Fundamentals (all genders)

Start date: earliest possible

Contract type: Fixed-term, max. 5 years

Location: Wildau

Deadline: 26.10.2025

Remuneration: Up to E 15 TVöD

Reference number: 1357276 | 118/25

Be a part of the RKI‑DNA! As a public health institute, we are actively committed to public health. At the Robert Koch Institute, 1,500 people from over 52 nations work and research together on this every day.

Your Job:

• Establishment and management of research group "AI Fundamentals", in particular: Set-Up and lead an independent research team; Support the professional development of scientific staff; Collaborate across disciplines and departments within the RKI to combine and augment the RKI’s traditional expertise in the research of infectious and non-communicable diseases with and/or by artificial intelligence methods; Support the ZKI‑PH leadership in responding to requests from the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant departmental research organisations; Provide scientific support during the establishment of an integrated federal data infrastructure.
• Scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence for Public Health, in particular: Strategically manage technology development for the use of artificial intelligence (e.g. Natural Language Processing (NLP)) in the public health sector; Develop methodological foundations for AI-/NLP-supported applications; Develop analytical methods for the investigation of methodological challenges in AI models and provide quality assurance of these models for use in medicine, society and public health; Manage and integrate data, develop novel algorithms/methods and provide quality assurance for this work; Independently manage and coordinate research projects on the above-mentioned topics and independently acquire third-party funds for your research; Prepare high-impact factor scientific publications as well as project and research reports.

Your professional profile:

• A completed scientific university degree (master's degree or state examination) and PhD in a relevant (information) technical, scientific, medical, public health field or similar. In the case of foreign educational qualifications, we require a certificate of equivalence with a German qualification.
• Skills and experience: Extensive research experience in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning with a focus on language processing/NLP in academia or industry, as well as initial management experience; Extensive knowledge of and well-established working experience in the common programming languages; In quantitative data analysis and in handling complex (especially unstructured text-based) bodies of data; Highly developed skills in scientific publishing as well as the presentation of research results; Extensive experience in the coordination/management of research projects; Language skills (CEFR level): English at least C1, German at least C1.
• Desirable skills and experience: Several years of professional experience in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning; Extensive research experience in the field of Natural Language Processing; Knowledge of or experience in Public Health research or experience in the application of NLP in the field of health/public health; Experience in presenting complex (scientific) topics in an understandable way; Knowledge and experience in acquiring third-party funding.
• Personal skills: Ability to learn with the aim of constantly keeping one's own knowledge and skills up to date; Willingness to innovate and openness to changing requirements and developments; Independence with responsible decision-making for the fulfilment of tasks; Service-orientation and responsiveness to business contacts and their needs; Diligence and conscientiousness to ensure and improve the quality of work processes; Ability to cooperate and work in a team to achieve a common result; Goal-orientated management and derivation of measures from goals as well as planning of concepts for implementation; Ability to motivate employees with regular and timely feedback in the form of recognition and constructive criticism; Diversity competency demonstrated through appreciative and respectful treatment of individuals of all dimensions of diversity; Change management skills, including the ability to continuously respond to and manage change effectively.
• Further requirements: Willingness to participate in and successfully complete an extended security clearance in accordance with § 9 of the Security Clearance Act (Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz, SÜG); List of publications as well as a list of previous/on-going third-party funded projects with funding details; Outline of a 5-year plan for the planned own research at the ZKI‑PH with reference to the existing ZKI‑PH groups and their funding.

Benefits: 30 working days holiday and days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; Up to 50% remote working possible; Subsidised pension scheme and offer for capital-forming benefits incl. subsidy in accordance with the public service scheme; Transparent payment in accordance with the collective agreement incl. annual special payment and regular pay increases; Flexible working hours with flexitime and part-time working options; Opportunities for individual further training and a broad training catalogue for personal development; Subsidised public transport ticket (Deutschlandticket-Job).

We are committed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions and welcome applications from qualified women. We look forward to receiving your detailed application documents for ID 1357276 / reference number 118/25 by 26.10.2025 exclusively via www.interamt.de. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment. We guarantee equality in the workplace by welcoming all people in all dimensions of diversity. With equal qualifications and aptitude, severely disabled persons are given preferential consideration.