Junior Research Groups (m/f/d)

AI in Health and Infection Research

(with professorship and tenure options)

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest research organization. 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. HZI is a key member of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

Within the newly established HUMAN program (www.helmholtz-hzi.de/human-microstar), we invite applications from exceptional early-career scientists to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to address the following focus areas:

AI-supported Mechanistic Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of biological systems in, but not limited to, infection research through e.g. lifecycle-structure discovery and model conception, calibration and data assimilation, uncertainty quantification, surrogate and operator learning to accelerate simulation, optimal experimental design, or model-based control/decision support.
Computational Network Sciences and AI for Biology and Health that combine innovative, AI-driven research programs through network theory and AI, mechanistic mathematical modeling, Bayesian inference/uncertainty quantification, physics-informed neural networks, or reconstructions, analyses, or predictions of complex biological network behaviors.

The groups will be embedded within the vibrant scientific environment of the Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), which is part of the Lower Saxony Center for Artificial Intelligence and Causal Methods in Medicine (www.caimed.de/en/), providing exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, your group will be part of the Helmholtz AI program, one of the premier AI initiatives and data hubs in the world.

Requirements:
You are a highly qualified junior scientist holding a PhD or PhD equivalent. Postdoctoral training and early-stage independent research are welcome, but we will also consider outstanding applicants immediately post-graduation. You have an exceptional international track record in your field of research, excellent communication skills in English, enjoy taking on leadership roles, and guide master's and PhD students through their career paths. Experience in securing third-party funding is welcome, but not required.

We offer some of the most competitive research positions in the world:

Your Junior Research Group will be funded for a period of 5 years initially. Funding covers the group leader’s salary, depending on the level of experience (€74,300 - €91,900 annually), three staff positions (one PostDoc, two PhD students), as well as consumables (€16,000/year), and a generous start-up package to purchase equipment (up to €150,000; negotiable). Based on an external review, successful group leaders will be offered an extension period of up to 4 years, with a subsequent opportunity to securing a permanent position at the HZI (tenure). The position comes with a junior professorship option at one of our partner Universities in Lower Saxony.

Benefits at a glance:

An attractive and multi-faceted job in a future-oriented research institute with an international environment in the city of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, a highly affordable area of the country in one of Europe’s most research-dense locations
Access to cutting-edge core infrastructures, research networks and a variety of support offices
Dedicated office to support families, including childcare solutions, strategic career support to develop professional knowledge and personal skills, third-party funding acquisition, mentoring and more
Flexible working hours, home office option
A corporate culture of appreciation and promotion of equal opportunities
30 vacation days plus an annual salary bonus

Candidates with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.

The HZI is actively committed to diversity, equality, and integration (DEI). The HZI pursues gender equality and expressly welcomes applications from qualified women. The position is suitable for part-time work.

Starting date: As soon as possible. The contract will initially run for 5 years.

Salary: E15 TVöD Bund

Working time: 39 hours per week

Place of work: Braunschweig

Probation period: 6 months

Closing date: 30.03.2026

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

How to apply: Please upload your application in our career portal.

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 (download here), 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. Please refrain from sending a photo.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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About HUMAN:

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

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