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Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH

Junior Research Groups (m/f/d) AI in Health and Infection Disease

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH, Germantown, Ohio, United States

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Organisation/Company Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH Department Human Resources Research Field Mathematics » Computational mathematics Physics » Mathematical physics Computer science » Informatics Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 26 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 123/2025 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description TheHelmholtzCentreforInfectionResearch(HZI),isofferingpositions for

JuniorResearch Groups(m/f/d) AI in Health and Infection Disease.

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) is Germany’s largest academic institution dedicated to infection research. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest research organization, and a member of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). 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.

Within the newly established HUMAN program (Human Microbe Alliance for Universal Health) ( www.helmholtz-hzi.de/human-microstar ),the HZI invites applications for Junior Research Group Leaders to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to address the following focus areas:

AI-supported Mechanistic Mathematical Modelling and Simulation

Computational Network Sciences and AI for Biology and Health

Join us to advance

AI-driven mechanistic modeling and simulation , integrating dynamic systems theory and explainable AI to unlock deeper insights into biological systems and accelerate innovations in health research. Alternatively, you will help us to advance

computational network sciences

and AI for deeper, explainable insights into biological systems, driving innovations that will shape the future of health research.

The groups will be embedded within the vibrant scientific environment of the Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS) and is part of the Lower Saxony Center for Artificial Intelligence and Causal Methods in Medicine (CAIMed; www.caimed.de ), providing exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Overview Positions:

1. AI-supported Mechanistic Mathematical Modelling and Simulation

You will pioneer

advanced AI integration

into mechanistic modelling and simulation. Your group will work on:

Lifecycle-structure discovery and model conception

Calibration and data assimilation

Uncertainty quantification

Surrogate and operator learning to accelerate simulation

Model-based control/decision support

Applications with a focus on

biological systems and health

2. Computational Network Sciences and AI for Biology and Health

You will develop

innovative, AI-driven research programs

that combine:

Network theory and AI

Mechanistic mathematical modeling

Reconstruction, analysis, and prediction of

complex biological network behaviour

These positions include strong emphases on

emergent behaviour, modularity , and

biological/health applications .

Where to apply E-mail Jobshzi@helmholtz-hzi.de

Requirements Research Field Computer science » Informatics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Mathematics » Computational mathematics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Mathematical physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent

Specific Requirements

PhD in one of the following fields (depending on the focus area):

Applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics

Computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology

Mechanistic modelling (ODE/PDE), agent-based models

Mathematical analysis of biological systems and networks

AI/ML applications in modelling, simulation, and network analysis

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

Hybrid modelling, neural differential equations, or physics-informed neural networks

Equation discovery

Bayesian inference/uncertainty quantification

Surrogate modeling/operator learning

Strong theoretical understanding of sub-network dynamics, modularity, and system behaviour

Programming proficiency: Python, Julia, MATLAB, R, or C++

Including ML frameworks, version control, and reproducible workflows

Familiarity with high-performance computing environments

Ability to collaborate across disciplines, including clinical/experimental teams

Experience supervising and mentoring students

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals

Experience in securing third-party funding

Excellent communication skills (English and German)

20250916_HZI_HUMAN_APPLICATION FORM_candidates_AI.pdf

Your Junior Research Group will be funded for a period of 5 years initially. Funding covers the group leader position, personnel as well as consumables and start-up lab equipment. The positions come with options for tenure and junior professorships at local universities, such as the TU Braunschweig, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH), and Göttingen University. Based on an external review, successful group leaders will be offered an extension of the group for up to 4 years and a permanent position as group leader atHZI.

We offer competitive salaries and access to cutting‑edge infrastructures and research networks. You will benefit from dedicated research support, onboarding and granting offices, mentorship, and participation in post‑graduate programs.

An attractive and varied job in a future‑oriented research institute with an international environment in Braunschweig, one of Europe’s most research‑dense regions

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

Interesting additional public service benefits

Option of an additional employer subsidy for 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 and expressly welcomes applications from qualified women. The position is suitable for part‑time work.

Selection process

When sending us your application documents,

please confirm

that you have read our privacy policy and that you agree to the processing of your personal data. Please use the text module in our privacy policy for this purpose.

Without these declarations we cannot consider or process your application

and will immediately delete any application documents already received after the application deadline.

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.

Please send

your complete application, quoting the

reference number 123/2025, to the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH, Human Resources Department, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany or by e‑mail . If you send your application in electronic form, please provide a

summary in one single (1) pdf document .

We look forward to receiving your application!

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