Postdoctoral Position in Computational Viral Genomics and Evolution
Date: 12 Oct 2026
Location: Braunschweig
Company: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH
Job advertisement no. 776
The department 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 Viral Genomics and Evolution (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.
The position is embedded in the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre “VirusREvolution: Decoding Tools for Virus Research”, an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to developing innovative bioinformatic and photonic tools for virus research. By combining computational and experimental approaches, VirusREvolution aims to improve the systematic characterisation of known and newly emerging viruses and enable their rapid risk assessment. Within this collaborative framework, we work closely with national partners to develop computational methods that link population-level viral evolution to underlying molecular processes and enable the early detection and characterisation of emerging, antigenically altered viral lineages.
Responsibilities:
- Develop computational methods for the early detection and prediction of emerging, evolutionarily successful and antigenically altered viral lineages
- Analyse large-scale viral genomic, phylogenetic and epidemiological data to identify evolutionary changes associated with viral fitness, immune escape and antigenic change
- Integrate evolutionary estimates with experimental and structural data and contribute to establishing a comprehensive database of phenotype-altering viral mutations
- Participate actively in the Collaborative Research Centre VirusREvolution and collaborate closely with computational and experimental project partners
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present your work at national and international scientific meetings
- Department-specific support
Requirements:
- A doctoral degree in bioinformatics, computational virology, computer science, machine learning, statistics or a related field; experience in phylogenetics is desirable
- 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 at the Science Campus South in Braunschweig
- 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!