Research Group Leader (Career Track)
Artificial Intelligence - Fundamentals (all genders)
Start date: earliest possible
Contract type: Fixed-term
max. 5 years
Location: Wildau
Deadline: 26.10.2025
Remuneration: Up to E 15 TVöD
Reference number: 1357276 | 118/25
Be a part of the RKI-DNA!
As a public health institute, we are actively committed to public health. At the Robert Koch Institute, 1,500 people from over 52 nations work and research together on this every day.
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Apply directly through the public service employment portal at:
Our team at the "Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research" is looking forward to your application!
Successful applicants will be offered a fixed-term, public sector employment contract (according to TVÖD Bund) of initially up to 5 years duration. Subject to satisfactory performance at the career-track evaluation towards the end of the fixed-term contract, the position will be converted to a continuing (permanent) position. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you may then be offered a continuing civil servant position up to grade B1, or permanent employment up to pay grade E15 TVöD. The career-track evaluation will be conducted according to well-defined criteria by an expert panel comprising internal and external experts.
Your Job:
Establishment and management of research group "AI Fundamentals", in particular:
* Set-Up and lead an independent research team
* Support the professional development of scientific staff
* Collaborate across disciplines and departments within the RKI to combine and augment the RKI's traditional expertise in the research of infectious and non-communicable diseases with and/or by artificial intelligence methods
* Support the ZKI-PH leadership in responding to requests from the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant departmental research organisations
* Provide scientific support during the establishment of an integrated federal data infrastructure
Scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence for Public Health, in particular:
* Strategically manage technology development for the use of artificial intelligence (e. g. Natural Language Processing (NLP)) in the public health sector
* Develop methodological foundations for AI- /NLP-supported applications
* Develop analytical methods for the investigation of methodological challenges in AI models and provide quality assurance of these models for use in medicine, society and public health
* Manage and integrate data, develop novel algorithms/methods and provide quality assurance for this work
* Independently manage and coordinate research projects on the above-mentioned topics and independently acquire third-party funds for your research
* Prepare high-impact factor scientific publications as well as project and research reports
Your professional profile:
* A completed scientific university degree (master's degree or state examination) and PhD in a relevant (information) technical, scientific, medical, public health field or similar
In the case of foreign educational qualifications, we require a certificate of equivalence with a German qualification.
Skills and experience
* Extensive research experience in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning with a focus on language processing/NLP in academia or industry, as well as initial management experience
* Extensive knowledge of and well-established working experience in the common programming languages
* In quantitative data analysis and in handling complex (especially unstructured text-based) bodies of data
* Highly developed skills in scientific publishing as well as the presentation of research results
* Extensive experience in the coordination/ management of research projects
* Language skills (CEFR level): English at least C1, German at least C1
Desirable skills and experience
* Several years of professional experience in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning
* Extensive research experience in the field of Natural Language Processing
* Knowledge of or experience in Public Health research or experience in the application of NLP in the field of health/public health
* Experience in presenting complex (scientific) topics in an understandable way
* Knowledge and experience in acquiring third-party funding
Personal skills
* Ability to learn with the aim of constantly keeping one's own knowledge and skills up to date
* Willingness to innovate and openness to changing requirements and developments
* Independence with responsible decision-making for the fulfilment of tasks
* Service-orientation and responsiveness to business contacts and their needs
* Diligence and conscientiousness to ensure and improve the quality of work processes
* Ability to cooperate and work in a team to achieve a common result
* Goal-orientated management and derivation of measures from goals as well as planning of concepts for implementation
* Ability to motivate employees with regular and timely feedback in the form of recognition and constructive criticism
* Diversity competency demonstrated through appreciative and respectful treatment of individuals of all dimensions of diversity
* Change management skills, including the ability to continuously respond to and manage change effectively
Further requirements
* Willingness to participate in and successfully complete an extended security clearance in accordance with § 9 of the Security Clearance Act (Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz, SÜG)
* List of publications as well as a list of previous/on-going third-party funded projects with funding details
* Outline of a 5-year plan for the planned own research at the ZKI-PH with reference to the existing ZKI-PH groups and their funding (information on the ZKI-PH groups can be found here)
Benefits
* 30 working days holiday and days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
* Up to 50 % remote working possible
* Subsidised pension scheme and offer for capital-forming benefits incl. subsidy in accordance with the public service scheme
* Transparent payment in accordance with the collective agreement incl. annual special payment and regular pay increases
* Flexible working hours with flexitime and part-time working options
* Opportunities for individual further training and a broad training catalogue for personal development
* Subsidised public transport ticket (Deutschlandticket-Job)
Have we sparked your interest?
We are committed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions and welcome applications from qualified women.
We look forward to receiving your detailed application documents for ID 1357276 / reference number 118/25 by 26.10.2025 exclusively via
Apply now interamt.de
We are committed to equal opportunities in employment. We guarantee equality in the workplace by welcoming all people in all dimensions of diversity. With equal qualifications and aptitude, severely disabled persons are given preferential consideration.
Within the scope of its supervisory powers, the Federal Ministry of Health may examine application documents on a case-by-case basis. Your data will be deleted after the application process has been completed.
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