Early Career Investigator (f/m/x) in AI for Nucleic Acid Based Medicines

102608

Full time
39 hrs./week

Neuherberg near Munich

Home Office Options

We are Helmholtz Munich and Roche. In a rapidly changing world, we discover breakthrough solutions for better health.

Research at Helmholtz Munich is focused within the areas of metabolic health/diabetes, environmental health, molecular targets and therapies, cell programming and repair, bioengineering, and computational health. We particularly excel in the fields of basic research, bioengineering, artificial intelligence, and technological development.

At Roche, we are driven by a single purpose: to transform patients' lives through innovative science. Our Therapeutic Modalities and Data & Analytics departments are at the forefront of pioneering research, where world-class scientists and cutting-edge technology converge to design the molecules of tomorrow. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of science to deliver breakthrough therapies that address unmet medical needs.

Through this research, we build the foundations for medical innovation in Gene Therapy and RNA-based therapeutics. In this unique collaboration between Helmholtz Munich and Roche, we seek to accelerate the transfer of fundamental research in AI and ML to the clinic, so that laboratory ideas can reach society and improve people’s quality of life at the fastest rate possible.

This is what drives us. Why not join us and make a difference?

Our offer:

A unique opportunity for scientific independence to establish yourself at the forefront of applied AI working with unique biomedical data sets and creating novel therapeutic modalities in collaboration with Roche on-site experimental labs, shared PhDs and PostDocs, direct collaboration with Roche PIs.
A generous start-up package (salary, positions, running costs) at the level of an ERC Starting Grant; positions are limited to five years, with access to the tenure option for early career investigators.
A dynamic, multicultural, interdisciplinary and highly collaborative research environment in Munich, one of the world’s most liveable cities.

You and your group will build a bridge between the world-leading Data & Analytics and Therapeutic Modalities departments at Roche Pharma Research and Early Development and the vibrant and thriving computational health community in Munich, including ELLIS Munich (with the opportunity to join the ELLIS Society).

Prof. Matthias Tschöp (Dr. Med., Dr. hc.), CEO of Helmholtz Munich:

"We believe that excellent research requires a range of different perspectives. Diverse teams reach better solutions and are more innovative in their research topics.

Establishing our Diversity Management Strategy demonstrates our commitment to ensuring an appreciative company culture based on mutual respect. We are also implementing diversity-sensitive processes throughout our whole organization."

Your tasks

Foundation Model Development: Lead the development of a DNA+RNA foundation model to fuel specific tasks in the design of new therapeutic modalities for the clinic.
Hands-on Research: Work on computational models, including generative design of payloads in gene therapy and therapeutic oligonucleotides.
Design-Build-Test-Learn: Closely interface with experimental laboratories, on site at Roche Penzberg, to design, plan, and generate suitable ML-ready experimental data at scale to facilitate efficient model development and validation.
Collaboration and Strategic Leadership: Interface with other groups at Helmholtz Munich and the teams at Roche, help prioritize and steer the project strategically.
Supervision: Supervise PhD students and junior researchers, providing guidance and support for their projects.
Publication and Grants: Write high-impact publications, file patents, and acquire additional grants to support the research.

Your profile

PhD in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Physics or related, quantitative, fields.
Track record of scientific independence: including (some) research supervisions, co-corresponding authorships, secured funding.
Strong background in AI and machine learning, particularly in the context of modeling DNA and RNA data for generating/creating novel, highly functional nucleic acid sequences.
Comfortable working with sequencing data, including but not limited to single-cell RNA sequencing, ATAC sequencing etc.
Hands-on experience with deep learning model development and data ingestion.
Experience with generative models, e.g. transformer-based architectures, LLMs, etc.
Exposure to active-learning, design of experiment (DoE) and design-build-test-learn cycles.
Utilizing concepts from ML engineering (HPC computing, experiment tracking, model operationalisation, containerisation, …).
Evident potential for leadership and team management skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Proven track record in acquiring fellowships or grants is a plus.

Benefits

Family Support

On-site kindergarten, holiday care, care for the elderly

Health Promotion

Sports, company doctor, mental health initiatives

International Staff Service

Support with the relocation and integration process in Germany

Personal Development

Continuous education and training

Recreation

30 days annual leave, flexi days, plus public holidays

Work-Life-Balance

Flexible working hours and flexi-time models

Career Development: Postdoc program, scientific training & career center with tailored offers
Scientific Resources: State-of-the-art infrastruture and Core Facilities
Recreation: 30 days annual leave, flexi days, plus public holidays
International Staff Service: Support with the relocation and integration process in Germany
Health Promotion: Sports, company doctor, mental health initiatives

If you fulfil all the requirements, you may be eligible for a salary grade of up to E 15. Social benefits are based on the Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees (TVöD). The position has an (initial) fixed term of 5 years, with the possibility of moving to a permanent contract.

We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and welcome applications from talented people regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical abilities, religion or age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.

We specifically welcome applications from female scientists or underrepresented groups. Helmholtz Munich and Roche are deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Both are certified equal opportunity employers with a family-friendly research environment, flexible hours and remote working options, dual-career opportunities and a child-care facility on campus.

If you have obtained a university degree abroad, we will require further documents from you regarding the comparability of your degree. Please request the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications as early as possible.

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Interested in applying?

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Fr. Dr. Anna Sacher, +498931872926, who will be happy to help.

Your application should include

CV
Cover letter
Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates
your future research plan (3 pages max.)
list of publications (please highlight up to 3 with a brief explanation of their impact)
contact details of 3 referees

15.03.2025

We are Helmholtz Munich.