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

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