PhD students
(multiple positions)
Artificial Intelligence within Public Health Research (all genders)
* Start date: 01.10.2026
* Contract type: 3 years (fixed-term)
* Location: Wildau
* Deadline: 30.04.2026
* Remuneration: E 13 TVöD
* Reference number: 44/26 | 1420262
Be a part of the RKI DNA!
The Robert Koch Institute – that's around 1,500 people from over 52 countries with one goal: to protect public health. We collect and analyse health data, identify risks, advise government and experts, and develop new scientific methods. We are based in Berlin, Wildau and Wernigerode.
Get started now
Apply directly through the public service employment portal at:
Our team ZKI “Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research” is looking forward to your application!
This is a part-time position with 25.35 hours per week (65 % of a full-time position), with the remainder of the time being reserved for you to work on your PhD research. A total of 7 positions are planned.
We offer you the opportunity to work on exciting research projects for the benefit of Public Health with the qualification goal of a PhD after 3 years, as well as integration into one of our interdisciplinary, innovative and international teams. You will receive extensive support in building your professional network, personal development and career planning.
For legal reasons, the specific duration of each individual contract (maximum 3 years) is based on the individual availability of time within the meaning of § 2 (1) of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG).
Your job
Conduct scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence with a particular focus on Public Health, e. g.:
* independent work on an exciting research project at the interface of AI, medicine and bioinformatics, e. g.:
o further development of early warning systems, risk assessment of pathogens; optimization of the calculation of disease burdens, visualization of complex correlations, Big Data analyses, automated analysis of high-throughput experiments in molecular biology, image and video analyses as well as pattern recognition of complex public health data
* Collaboration in the development of algorithms/methods and development of corresponding software tools
* Presentation of research results at national and international congresses and symposia
* create scientific publications as well as project and research reports
A complete list of available topics can be found on the ZKI-PH website .
Your professional profile Formal requirements
* a completed scientific university degree (master's degree or state examination) 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
* Experience in quantitative data analysis and in handling complex bodies of data
* in the use of at least one programming language (e. g. Python, Java ...)
* Language skills (CEFR-Level): English at least C1, German at least A2 or the willingness to acquire further German language skills - we support you with language courses
Desirable skills and experience
* Experience in implementing projects in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning and/or deep learning
* experience in scientific publishing and presenting research results
* knowledge or experience in public health research
Personal skills
* Independence with responsible decision-making for the completion of tasks
* Diligence and conscientiousness to ensure and improve the quality of work processes
* Ability to cooperate and work in a team to achieve a joint result
Further requirements
* Willingness to participate in and successfully complete an extended security clearance in accordance with § 9 of the Security Clearance Act (Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz, SÜG) (only for project ZKI‑PH_PhD2026_04 “Representation Learning and Explainable AI for Functional Peptide Discovery”)
Benefits
* 30 working days holiday and days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
* Up to 50 % remote working possible
* 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
* Sports activities such as yoga, running events, cooperation with fitness studios, and much more
* Deutschlandticket-Job with subsidy
Have we sparked your interest?
We look forward to receiving your detailed application documents for ID 1420262 / reference number 44/26 by 30.04.2026exclusively via
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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