Join our Interdisciplinary Data Science Research Community in Berlin – Fully-Funded HEIBRiDS PhD Positions (m/f/d)

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association aims to transform tomorrow’s medicine through our discoveries of today. At locations in Berlin-Buch, Berlin-Mitte, Heidelberg and Mannheim, our researchers harness interdisciplinary collaboration to decipher the complexities of disease at the systems level – from molecules and cells to organs and the entire organism. Through academic, clinical, and industry partnerships, as well as global networks, we strive to translate biological discoveries into applications that enable the early detection of deviations from health, personalize treatment, and ultimately prevent disease. First founded in 1992, the Max Delbrück Center today inspires and nurtures a diverse talent pool of 1,800 people from over 70 countries. We are 90 percent funded by the German federal government and 10 percent by the state of Berlin.

The Helmholtz Einstein International Berlin Research School in Data Science (HEIBRiDS) welcomes applications for PhD positions within a collaborative and inclusive research environment. HEIBRiDS projects foster the convergence of data science methodologies with applications in Molecular Medicine, Materials & Energy, Earth & Environment, Geosciences, and Astronomy encompassing topics in the following areas:

• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Explainable AI
• Large Language Models
• Mathematical Modelling
• Statistical Modelling
• Imaging Data Science

Research will be carried out at one of the partner Helmholtz Centers in the greater Berlin area:

• German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ)
• Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB)
• Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC)

In collaboration with BIFOLD or one of the partner universities:

• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Freie Universität Berlin (FU)
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU)
• Technische Universität Berlin (TU)

If you thrive in an interdisciplinary environment and are passionate about pioneering research, we invite you to become part of our international community in Berlin, Germany!

Job Description

• Conducting independent research in the field of Data Science within the framework of a PhD project
• Developing and applying methods such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Explainable AI, and Large Language Models
• Performing mathematical and statistical modeling of complex datasets
• Analyzing and interpreting data across various application domains (e.g., molecular medicine, energy, environment, geosciences, astronomy)
• Collaborating in an interdisciplinary environment with researchers from different fields and institutions
• Contributing to international research projects and collaborations
• Presenting and publishing research results at conferences and in scientific journals
• Participating in structured training and qualification programs of the graduate school (HEIBRiDS)
• Working closely with supervising scientists at Helmholtz centers and partner universities

Requirements

Who we are looking for:

• Highly motivated graduates with a strong interest in Data Science
• A Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., computer science, engineering, physics, statistics, mathematics) or in related applied fields (e.g., bioinformatics or geoinformatics)
• Applicants who have already completed their MSc degree or will complete it by January 2027 at the latest

We offer

• international working environment with communication in English and German
• interesting career opportunities and a range of opportunities for further qualification and training
• Compatibility of family and career certified by the workandfamily audit (“berufundfamilie audit”)
• Support for "New Berliners" through the MDC Welcome & Family Office

You also benefit from:

• a remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the federal public service (TVöD-Bund), including additional company pension schemes
• a secure job
• flexible working hours and childcare support
• the possibility of mobile working
• an idyllic green campus, which is easily accessible by bicycle, public transport or car
• free use of Nextbike from the Buch S-Bahn station to the campus
• Subsidy for the job ticket as well as discounts in the campus canteen
• On-campus health and fitness center
• additional health benefits such as flu vaccination, eye test, ergonomics advice at the workplace