Postdoctoral Position in Computational Metagenomics
Date: 12 Oct 2026
Location: Braunschweig
Company: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH
Job advertisement no. 772
The department of Computational Biology for Infection Research, led by Prof. Alice Carolyn McHardy, at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), invites applications for a
Postdoctoral Position in Computational Metagenomics (f/m/d)
As a member of the Helmholtz Association, the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, based in Braunschweig, conducts top-level research in the field of infectious diseases. Our scientists develop novel methods and strategies to fight infectious diseases faster and more effectively. Our common goal is to develop novel approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Our research focuses on bacterial and viral pathogens, their interaction with the human immune system and new effective substances and vaccines.
The Department of “Computational Biology for Infection Research” studies the human microbiome, viral and bacterial pathogens together with biomedical metadata by analysis of large-scale biological and epidemiological data sets with computational techniques. To achieve its research goals, the department also develops novel algorithms and software. A major focus of our work is our participation in the Critical Assessment of Metagenome Interpretation (CAMI), an international initiative that systematically benchmarks computational methods for metagenome analysis and drives their further development. CAMI also contributes to NFDI4Microbiota, a DFG-funded consortium dedicated to establishing sustainable research data infrastructures and promoting FAIR data practices within the microbiology research community. Through these initiatives, we collaborate closely with national and international partners to advance standards, methods, and resources for microbiome and metagenome research.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and evaluate innovative research methods within the CAMI initiative, including the creation of complex, realistic and comprehensive metagenome and metatranscriptome benchmark datasets
- Extend the benchmarking frameworks of the CAMI portal and its benchmark evaluation software
- Engage the wider metagenomics research community in CAMI benchmarking activities
- Contribute actively to NFDI4Microbiota by advancing sustainable benchmarking resources, community standards and FAIR data practices
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present your work at national and international scientific meetings
- Contribute to fundraising or teaching activities of the department (up to 25% of working time)
Requirements:
- A doctoral degree in computer science, bioinformatics, statistics, machine learning or a related field
- Prior experience with the research topic and a commitment to reproducible research
- Good programming skills, strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Independent, structured and goal-oriented working style, team and communication skills
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
We offer you:
- An attractive and varied job in a future-oriented research institute with an international environment
- A state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest technologies
- Flexible working hours, part-time models as well as home office
- A corporate culture of appreciation and promotion of equal opportunities
- Extensive training and continuing education opportunities to develop professional knowledge and personal skills
- A family office to support family and career as well as childcare offers for example, during school breaks
- Interesting additional public service benefits
- Possible subsidy of the job-ticket
People 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 equality, diversity and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal of professional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.
For further information please contact Dr. Carmen Paulmann, email: carmen.paulmann@helmholtz-hzi.de.
Please apply via our career portal.
Please include a cover letter, resume, research interests, certificates, copies of your most important publications and addresses of two or three referees with your application. Please refrain from sending a photo.
We look forward to receiving your application!