PhD student Life Science (m/f/d)

PhD Student Life Science (m/f/d)

Join to apply for the PhD student Life Science (m/f/d) role at Forschungszentrum Jülich

This role is offered by Forschungszentrum Jülich. The pay range is based on your skills and experience. Discuss with a recruiter for details.

Overview

Conducting research for a changing society: We aim to tackle grand societal challenges and conduct research into the possibilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 7,600 employees in one of Europe’s biggest research centers and help shape change.

The Bioinformatics Division of the Institute of Biological and Geosciences (IBG-4) processes and develops methods and algorithms to achieve a fundamental understanding of high-dimensional data and processes in the bioeconomy. Bioinformatics at Forschungszentrum Jülich plays a leading role internationally, e.g., in plant and microbial data management, new methods of genome analysis, integration and interpretation of high‑dimensional omics data, and modeling, simulation, and engineering of biomolecular systems.

Apply your data science skills to real‑world challenges. At the Helmholtz School for Data Science in Life, Earth and Energy (HDS‑LEE), we train the next generation of data scientists to tackle key global issues in domain sciences.

PhD Position – Co‑Regulation Structures for Large‑Scale Single‑Cell Transcriptomics – within the HDS‑LEE Graduate School

Activities and Responsibilities

• Develop methods and workflows to construct robust co‑regulation networks from large single‑cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets.
• Integrate ontologies and metadata (e.g., tissue, cell type, developmental stage, treatment) to build tissue‑ and context‑specific co‑regulation networks.
• Design and implement clustering and integration approaches (network‑based and subspace clustering).
• Use co‑regulation networks for gene function and protein‑protein functional relationship prediction and benchmark against existing bulk co‑expression resources.
• Compare and optimise developed methods on real biological datasets; work closely with experimental partners for interpretation and validation.
• Contribute to integration of the developed methods into open‑source software tools and data portals of the institute.
• Collaborate with internal, external, national and international project partners.
• Present results at national and international conferences.
• Prepare scientific publications and project reports.

Qualification Profile

• Genuine interest in data science and one or more application domains (life and medical sciences, earth sciences, energy systems, or material sciences).
• A master’s degree with a strong academic background in mathematics, computer science, physics, material science, earth science, life science, engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, R, C++, Julia, etc.).
• Good analytical skills with a sound understanding of data evaluation.
• Prior experience with single‑cell data analysis, network analysis, or machine learning is a plus.
• Good organisational skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Effective communication skills and an interest in contributing to a highly international and interdisciplinary team.
• Motivation for academic development, supported by bachelor’s and master’s transcripts and two reference letters.
• Working proficiency in English for daily communication and professional contexts (TOEFL or equivalent required).
• Knowledge of German is beneficial.

Benefits

• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure.
• Cutting‑edge data available for analysis.
• Highly motivated groups and an international interdisciplinary working environment.
• Continuous scientific mentoring by scientific advisors.
• Opportunity to participate in international conferences.
• Unique HDS‑LEE graduate school programme (including data science courses, soft‑skill courses, and annual retreats).
• Qualification highly welcome in industry.
• Development of personal strengths through a structured programme of continuing education and networking opportunities.
• 30 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements, including partial remote work.
• Targeted services for international employees (International Advisory Service).

The position is initially limited to three years, with a planned one‑year extension. Pay will be in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD‑Bund) and additionally 60% of a monthly salary as a special payment (“Christmas bonus”).

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g., age, gender, disability, personal orientation/identity, and social, ethnic, and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities is important to us. Further information on diversity and equal opportunities can be found at and on specific support options at

We look forward to receiving your application. The role will be advertised until it has been successfully filled. Submit your application as soon as possible via our Online Recruitment System: