IDEAS PhD Call 2026: 8 Interdisciplinary Projects in Data Science for Environmental & Life Sciences Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH UFZ in Germany

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany, is offering 6 funded PhD positions through the IDEAS PhD Call 2026, focusing on interdisciplinary projects in data science for environmental and life sciences. UFZ is renowned as an international competence centre for environmental sciences and is part of the Helmholtz association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. The IDEAS School for Integrated Data Science in Environmental and Life Sciences connects UFZ and HZDR with Leipzig University and TU Dresden, supported by CASUS, forming a vibrant interdisciplinary research ecosystem under the Helmholtz Data Science Academy (HIDA).

IDEAS advances and applies modern data science—including machine learning, explainable AI, uncertainty quantification, and FAIR data management—to complex challenges in environmental and life sciences. The programme offers structured, interdisciplinary supervision, joint supervision across disciplines, a Thesis Advisory Committee, tailored curriculum, cohort activities (seminars, hackathons, retreats), and strong career development and networking opportunities.

This collective call covers 8 PhD topics, with 6 positions funded. Applicants may be considered for multiple projects and will be matched through a structured selection and ranking process. Project themes include climate disaster impact analysis, AI-based pollution event monitoring, protein function discovery using language models, knowledge diversity estimation in large language models, multimodal AI for cancer care, climate discourse analysis, explainable graph-based AI for chemical toxicity prediction, and uncertainty-aware medical image segmentation.

PhD candidates will conduct original research at the interface of data science and domain science, contribute to scientific publications, and participate in IDEAS training and cohort activities. The programme provides excellent supervision through the HIGRADE graduate programme, integration into national and international research networks, and access to first-class research infrastructure. Additional benefits include special annual payment, capital-forming benefits, subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket, family office support, and competent advice for international colleagues.

Applicants must have a very good Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., data science, computer science, mathematics/statistics, physics, environmental sciences, life sciences/bioinformatics, computational social science), strong programming and data analysis skills, motivation for interdisciplinary research, and excellent English skills. Application documents required are a cover letter (with project ranking), transcript of records, and two reference letters, all combined into one PDF file. Candidates will be ranked based on scientific excellence, fit with IDEAS, and fit with the projects, with offers made according to candidate and project preferences.

The application deadline is 22 February 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the provided application link.