PhD Students (Multiple Positions) in Artificial Intelligence within Public Health Research Robert Koch Institute in Germany

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a leading institution in public health research in Germany, is offering multiple PhD positions in Artificial Intelligence within Public Health Research. Based in Wildau, with connections to Berlin and Wernigerode, the RKI is home to over 1,500 staff from more than 52 countries, all dedicated to protecting public health through data analysis, risk identification, and scientific innovation.

These positions are part of the ZKI “Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research,” an interdisciplinary and international team focused on leveraging AI to address public health challenges. The roles are part-time (25.35 hours/week, 65% FTE), allowing candidates to dedicate the remainder of their time to their PhD research. A total of seven positions are available, each with a fixed-term contract of up to three years, subject to individual eligibility under German academic employment law (WissZeitVG).

PhD students will conduct scientific research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, medicine, and bioinformatics. Projects may include developing early warning systems, risk assessment of pathogens, optimizing disease burden calculations, visualizing complex health data, big data analyses, automated analysis of high-throughput molecular biology experiments, image and video analysis, and pattern recognition in public health datasets. Collaboration in algorithm and software tool development, presentation of research at national and international conferences, and scientific publishing are integral parts of the role.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant technical, scientific, medical, or public health field. Foreign qualifications require a certificate of equivalence with a German degree. Essential skills include quantitative data analysis, proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java), and English language skills at CEFR C1. German language skills at A2 are required, or candidates must be willing to improve their German (language courses provided). Experience in AI, machine learning, deep learning, scientific publishing, and public health research is desirable. Personal attributes such as independence, diligence, teamwork, and conscientiousness are valued. For certain projects, extended security clearance may be required.

Benefits include 30 working days of holiday, additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, up to 50% remote working, transparent pay according to E 13 TVöD (including annual special payment and regular increases), flexible working hours, extensive training opportunities, and access to sports activities and subsidized public transport (Deutschlandticket-Job).

RKI is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in employment. Severely disabled applicants are given preferential consideration. Applications are to be submitted exclusively via the public service employment portal (www.interamt.de) by 30 April 2026, referencing ID 1420262 / 44/26. For more information and additional job opportunities, visit jobs.rki.de.