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 Germany’s largest academic institution dedicated to infection research. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association and 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 ( Hu man M icrobe A lliance for U n iversal Health), we seek applications from highly qualified junior scientists to research, utilize, and develop artificial intelligence (AI) to gain deeper insight into biological systems and accelerate the discovery of innovative therapies:
AI-supported Mechanistic Modelling and Simulation for Infection Research.
* Computational Network Sciences and AI for Biology and Health.
We offer: -5-year funding for your junior research group, including competitive salaries for the group leader and three staff positions (one PostDoc, two PhD students), as well as generous funding for consumables and start-up equipment -Opportunity to extend your position for another four years based on a positive external evaluation (tenure track) -Junior professorship option at one of our partner Universities in Lower Saxony -Access to cutting-edge core infrastructures, research networks and support offices
-Extensive training, family support, and continuing education opportunities
To apply you must have a PhD or PhD equivalent, a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and excellent leadership and communications skills. English is our working language. Postdoctoral training and experience in securing third-party funding is welcome but not required.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds that are underrepresented in science.
Inspired? Then check out our full job advertisement and information on how to apply here .
Application Deadline: 30.03.2026
HUMAN’s core mission is to transition from pathogen-centered studies to a holistic understanding of the human ecosystem, integrating microbiology, immunology, systems medicine, and data science. The program complements the MICROSTAR initiative, forming the HUMAN–MICROSTAR Alliance — a unified framework bridging host- and microbe-focused infection biology. More details: