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“Research for a life without cancer" is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.

Do you want to bring artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to the forefront of health research?

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is a top-ranked computer science university and Helmholtz research center. The German Cancer Research Center is the largest biomedical research institution in Germany with leading research in health data sciences. The Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany with a leading university clinic and excellent track record in scientific computing. These three top institutions joined to tackle this thrilling area by providing a unique doctoral program:

Doctoral Researchers: Up to 6 Fully Funded Positions in Data Science & Health

Reference number: 2025-0176

• Heidelberg
• Full-time
• German Cancer Research Center, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and University Heidelberg

Apply if you can see the potential of techniques like deep learning in the health sector, and if you feel ready for shaping the future of our well-being. We offer projects in a collaborative research environment across discipline borders, focusing on topics in the following data science areas:

• Imaging & Diagnostics
• Surgery & Intervention 4.0
• Models for Personalized Medicine
• Public Health

We are looking for excellent graduates holding a master's degree, received by October 2025 at the latest, in computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics or related quantitative sciences (e.g. bioinformatics, medical informatics or robotics). To apply for a position please visit to fill in the required HIDSS4Health-specific application documents which need to be uploaded with your application. This year, the available projects are:

• ID01: Robust knowledge discovery of cell interactions in multichannel imaging flow cytometry and live cell imaging
• ID02: Close proximity human-robot interaction in medical interventions – combining robot control and data science approaches
• ID03: Fragments filtration for helium radiography and computed tomography
• ID04: Knowledge Graph Reasoning for Generalized Surgical AI
• ID05: Multimodal decision support for postoperative monitoring after brain tumor surgery
• ID06: Enhancing Biomarker Discovery through Covariate-Aware Multi-Omics Factorization Models
• ID07: Data-based outlier detection and risk validation for multi-class prediction in newborn screening

Here you can find the abstracts and PIs of each project: Contact:
Dr. Daniel Walther
Telefon: +49 6221 42-3018

The positions are limited to 3 years. An extension is possible.

Application Deadline: 25.08.2025

Are you interested?

Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!


We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.

Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.