Researcher (f/m/d) in DNA-Based Information Processing Systems

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation. KIT is one of the German Universities of Excellence.

The Institute of Information Security and Dependability (KASTEL) invites applications as soon as possible for a limited-term

Researcher (f/m/d) in DNA-Based Information Processing Systems

This position is offered jointly by the research groups of Prof. Ralf Reussner at the Institute for Security and Dependability / CRC 1608 Convide and Prof. Lennart Hilbert at the Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems – Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP). Both groups focus on under­standing how functional components are arranged into integrated system archi­tectures using multi-modality aware paradigms.

This project will pioneer conceptual and technical synergies between using multi-model frameworks for technical system design e.g., automotive archi­tectures — and biological systems that use DNA as both a building material and a logical information code , inspired by transcriptio­nal organi­zation in the cell nucleus. The ultimate goal is to explore in an example case how principles from consistent multi-view modelling of technical systems can inspire new approaches of modelling biological information processing, and vice versa.

Your Role and Required Skills:

You will play a key role in this highly exploratory and inter­disciplinary project, combining experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to design artificial, DNA-based information processing systems inspired by transcriptional organization in the biological cell nucleus.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Experimental wet lab work: This is a firm requirement for the position, as you will colla­borate with cell and molecular biologists to design and implement DNA-based systems. Candidates with purely theoretical or computa­tional back­grounds are never­theless encouraged to apply, as necessary laboratory skills can be learned on the job through close collaboration with team members.
• Developing image analysis pipelines, custom data analysis workflows, and applying machine learning techniques to experimental data.
• Conducting sequence bio­informatics analyses to support DNA-based system design.
• Exploring computational modeling, simulation, or theoretical frameworks on model-consistency of CRC 1608 to integrate biological principles with technical system design paradigms.
• The working language is English.

In addition to computational or theoretical expertise, speciali­zations in any relevant area or tech­nique of molecular biology, bio­medical engineering, or bio­technology can equally serve as foundations for defining the project’s focus. Candidates with expertise in areas such as gene editing, synthetic biology, protein engineering, or advanced micro­scopy are welcome to bring their skills into this inter­disciplinary effort.

Candidates with expertise in soft­ware develop­ment, computer science, simulation models, dynamical systems, applied mathematics, or high-performance computing can also define additional emphases for the project based on their background and interests.

It is possible to pursue a doctoral degree while working.

We are looking for a candidate who thrives in exploratory and inter­disci­plinary work environments. You should have:

• A Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in biophysics, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, bioinformatics, quantitative biology, computer science, applied mathematics, or related fields.
• A willingness to engage in experi­mental wet lab work as part of an inter­disciplinary team.
• Strong scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills to tackle complex challenges across disciplinary boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills to colla­borate effectively with team members from diverse back­grounds and present research findings clearly in an inter­national context.

Experience in any of the above areas is valued but not required; training will be provided where needed through colla­boration with other group members.

Please submit the following documents:

1. Cover letter outlining your moti­vation for this position and your fit for the project’s goals.
2. Curriculum Vitae, if applicable including a list of publi­cations.
3. Formal docu­ments as evidence of your quali­fication, transcript of record detai­ling your uni­versity grades and courses, and, where already obtained, your gradu­ation diploma.
4. Contact information for two to three refer­ences.

Please apply online to Ms Kehrer, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Human Resources, Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe by August 24, 2025.

Vacancy number: 1209/2025

For further information, please contact Elena Kienhöfer, email: elena.kienhoefer@kit.edu.

We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.

Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.

Your personal data will be processed by KIT in accordance with this privacy policy.

You can find further information on the internet: www.kit.edu

KIT – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association