The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is offering a PhD position in data science for a full-time, fixed-term role starting in Spring 2026. The position is part of the Computational Infection Biology Department, led by Thomas Otto, and aims to develop computational models to understand host-pathogen interactions using large-scale single-cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics datasets. The successful candidate will work on transformer- and graph-based models, investigate systematic biases in datasets, and build predictive models for in silico perturbations.

Employer and Location

The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is the largest Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Germany. Located in Hamburg, BNITM is a WHO Collaborating Centre and a member of the Leibniz Research Association. The institute is dedicated to advancing research in tropical medicine and aims to identify new strategies for therapeutic intervention.

Position Details

The PhD position is a full-time, fixed-term role with a remuneration package in accordance with the TV-AVH (collective agreement of the Hamburg Labour Law Association). The position is initially limited to 3 years and is expected to start in Spring 2026. The candidate will be part of the Computational Infection Biology Department, which focuses on developing computational approaches to understand host-pathogen interactions and their evolution.

• Develop and modify transformer-based models
• Characterize and correct systematic biases in datasets
• Integrate multimodal data sources in the context of host-pathogen datasets
• Establish predictive pipelines for transfer learning and drug target discovery
• Apply models on pathogen and immunological datasets
• Provide bioinformatics support to other BNITM groups
• Contribute to teaching and training activities within the Otto group
• Contribute to project development and independent research initiatives

Qualifications and Skills

The ideal candidate should have a Master's degree in a relevant field such as bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline. Strong programming skills, particularly in Python, are essential. Experience with machine learning frameworks and knowledge of biological data analysis are highly desirable. The candidate should also possess excellent communication and teamwork skills.

• Master's degree in bioinformatics, computer science, or a related field
• Strong programming skills in Python
• Experience with machine learning frameworks
• Knowledge of biological data analysis
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Application Process

To apply for the position, interested candidates should submit their application online by 25 March 2026. The required documents include a cover letter, CV, university certificates, a master project abstract or software project summary, and contact details of two references. For any questions regarding the formal application process or the selection procedure, candidates should contact Ms. Jeannette Meurer from the HR Department at meurer@bnitm.de. For all other questions, candidates should contact Prof. Thomas Otto at thomas.otto@bnitm.de.