PhD in Computational Imaging & Scientific Software Engineering (f/m/x)

In this PhD role you will build and own a modern software ecosystem for computational imaging research, turning cutting-edge reconstruction and analysis into robust, accessible tools. You collaborate with researchers, imaging experts, and external users to shape workflows and interfaces. You’ll explore AI-assisted interfaces and agentic software to automate and make imaging pipelines transparent and reproducible. This opportunity offers ownership of architecture and directions, with strong impact on science and technology transfer.

• ambitious international research program
• state-of-the-art imaging and research infrastructure
• close interaction with world-leading experts
• patents and technology transfer opportunities
• extensive international networking
• dynamic, collaborative environment

• Develop a modern, open, and extensible software ecosystem for optoacoustic image reconstruction and analysis
• Translate novel research algorithms into robust tools usable beyond the original developers
• Design APIs and workflows for rapid internal research and reliable external applications
• Work closely with users to understand workflows and continuously improve software
• Explore AI-assisted and agentic interfaces for scientific imaging workflows
• Establish best practices for testing, documentation, reproducibility, and sustainable scientific software
• Take ownership of software architecture, interfaces, and future directions

• Education in Computer Science, Data Analysis, Software Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related disciplines with a strong academic record
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, and experience developing non-trivial software
• Solid understanding of algorithms, numerical methods, scientific computing, or machine learning
• Ability and motivation to write clean, maintainable and well-tested code
• Strong interest in computational imaging, inverse problems, biomedical imaging, or scientific software
• Ownership mindset to drive software from prototypes to usable tools
• Effective communication with users and collaborators from diverse backgrounds
• Independent, proactive and collaborative working style
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary teamwork in an international research environment
• Advantageous: experience with modern software-engineering practices (git, automated testing, packaging, documentation, code review) and GPU/HPC; interest/experience in LLMs or agentic workflows; experience in optoacoustics, ultrasound, optical imaging, spectroscopy; interest in entrepreneurship or commercialization; fluency in German and English

• User-centered mindset
• Strong communication
• Collaborative teamwork
• Python programming
• Software development of non-trivial projects
• Algorithms and numerical methods