Working at Charité

The mission of the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) is medical translation: transferring biomedical research findings into novel approaches to personalized prediction, prevention, diagnostics and therapies and, conversely, using clinical observations to develop new research ideas. The aim is to deliver relevant medical benefits to patients and the population at large. Since 2021 the BIH has been integrated into Charité as its so-called third pillar.

For the group Robinson starting 01.01.2026 limited until 31.12.2028 we are looking for two PhD students (f/m/d) part-time (min. 25h/week).

The Robinson lab at the Berlin Institute of Health invites applications for a PhD position (Doktorandin oder Doktorand). The new team member will join a highly interactive, supportive, and interdisciplinary group of faculty, staff scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and students and enjoy access to state-of-the-art computing environment at the BIH.

What you can expect

The new team member will play an important role in advancing the mission of the Robinson lab, which focuses on developing algorithms, ontologies, and software to advance research and support medical practice. The Robinson lab leads the development of the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), which has become the international standard for computational phenotype analysis in Mendelian disease and other areas. The lab develops a range of software related to GA4GH Phenopacket Schema, biomedical ontologies, software for diagnostics genomics, and other topics. Details can be seen in the lab Homepage.

The current position is meant to strengthen the lab’s work in prioritization of non-coding variants related to Mendelian disease, including 5’ untranslated regions, promoters, and other categories. Knowledge of the biology of gene regulation is advantageous, as is data management and efficient communication skills.

https://robinsongroup.github.io/

What we are looking for

• Completed degree in bioinformatics, computer science, statistics, or equivalent experience and abilities.
• The Robinson lab develops software mainly in Java and Python but works with a range of other technologies such as SQL, JavaScript, C++, Rust, and R.
• Software engineering competency (e.g., GitHub, Unit testing).
• Contributing to publications, submission of grants and funding applications.
• Participating in international collaborations with the community-wide efforts aimed at promoting open, integrated, and rigorous practices in research and scholarly communication.
• Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, biomedical informatics, statistics, bioscience, or related field (or expect to receive the degree). Candidates should have programming experience in Python and experiences in software engineering including unit testing frameworks in Python and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment, for example with GitHub Actions, Jenkins, etc.
• Previous experience working at BIH (as a student) is highly desirable.

What we offer you

• A varied job in a forward-looking research institute
• Pay group E13 TVöD VKA-K. The classification is based on qualifications, the respective experience level is calculated on the basis of professional experience. The annual salary (gross) is stated for a full-time position without special or additional payments. The collective agreement can be found here.
• Additional benefits customary in the public sector (including annual special payment, company pension scheme (VBL), capital-forming benefits)
• Flexible working hours and the option of working remote
• 30 vacation days per year (with a five-day week)
• Various support offers to balance work and family life (childcare, cooperation with voiio)
• Very good training and further education opportunities
• Mobile citizens' office on site
• Corporate benefits (travel, leisure, shopping, etc.), Charité Gympass, JobRad
• Very easily accessible and attractive workplace at the
  Rahel Hirsch Center for Translational Medicine, Luisenstr. 65, 10117 Berlin

We live diversity!

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion and ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. Applications from women are expressly encouraged. Severely disabled and equivalent applicants will be given special consideration if they have the same qualifications and suitability.
We believe that diverse teams representing a wide range of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds enrich our research and work.

Please submit your application via our online application form with a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae (without photo, without age statement and without information about your marital status) and other relevant attachments (such as employer references, degree certificates, etc.).

Note: If you have a foreign degree, please submit proof of recognition of your degree in Germany with your application. The proof can be obtained via the anabin database. Please note that it may be necessary to obtain a certificate assessment from the ZAB. You can find more information here.

Proof of measles immunity / measles vaccination is a prerequisite for employment for those born after 1970.

You can find more information about BIH here.