Doctoral Researcher in Machine Learning for Virus Data Integration (m/f/d)

Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Jena; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 62,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days vacation per year

Family-friendly environment

Integrated Research Training Group

Job summary

Friedrich Schiller University Jena invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Machine Learning for Virus Data Integration. The position is 50% or 75% (20 or 30 hours/week) with a fixed-term end date of 30 June 2030, starting 01 January 2027.

The role is embedded in virus research within the VirusREvolution centre and broader data integration efforts. You will design and train representation models, merge modalities, collaborate with partners, and publish results at conferences and

Qualifications

• Master of Science or equivalent in computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology, or related field.
• Solid programming skills and experience with machine learning or deep learning.
• Excellent English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Research in multi-modal representation learning and deep fusion models for data integration.
• Collaborate with VirusREvolution project partners and group members.
• Publish papers and present at national and international meetings.
• Mentor BSc/MSc students working on related projects.
• Engage in regular discussions within the group and project teams.

Skills

Programming skills

Machine learning

English proficiency

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Master's degree in CS / related

Job description

Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 290/2026

Closing date: 2026-11-09

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Institute of Computer Sciences at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science seeks to fill the position of a Doctoral Researcher in Machine Learning for Virus Data Integration (m/f/d) commencing on 01 January 2027. We offer a part-time position (50% or 75%, 20 or 30 hours per week), with a fixed-term employment until 30 June 2030.

The DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre 1768 “VirusREvolution: Decoding tools for virus research” is a highly ambitious research centre at Friedrich Schiller University with the joint goal to develop novel tools for virus discovery, characterisation, regulation, interaction, and visualisation ( https://virusrevolution.uni-jena.de/ ). Its integrated research training group is educating doctoral researchers in a structured, interdisciplinary training program and invites applications for doctoral and postdoctoral researcher positions in various fields of research.

In this doctoral project within the Junior Research Group “Machine Learning data integration from photonics to genomics”, you will design and train representation models and combine two or more of them in predictive deep fusion models. The goal of the project is the integration of different data that can describe viruses, from various omics to microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, in a common predictive deep learning framework.

Your responsibilities:

• Research in multi-modal representation learning and deep fusion models for data integration
• Participation in the Collaborative Research Centre VirusREvolution and close collaboration with the project partners
• Engage in regular discussions with other group and project members
• Collaborate with BSc and MSc students working in associated projects
• Publish papers and present your work at national and international scientific meetings

Your profile:

• A highly motivated candidate with a Master of Science or equivalent degree in computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related discipline
• Solid programming skills and experience with machine learning or deep learning are required
• Knowledge in data integration across different data modalities and virus biology is desirable
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team
• Excellent skills in English are required, both written and spoken

We offer:

• Embedding in a cross-disciplinary, young research group and a large, ambitious research consortium
• Affiliation to an Integrated Research Training Group, offering close support and a comprehensive education program for hard skills and transferable skills, supported by the Jena Graduate Academy
• A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families
• University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at / up to salary scale E13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to Data privacy and information for applicants