PhD position Statistical Genetics / Machine Learning

Biomedical Informatics and Genetic Phenotype Redefinition Research Group
Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Kiel University & UKSH


The University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe with more than 80 clinics and institutes. It offers outstanding medical treatment and excellence in research and education with more than 16,000 employees. We provide top research at the interface of medicine, science and technology and maintain research co-operations with universities all over the world.


The Biomedical Informatics and Genetic Phenotype Redefinition Research Group at the Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Kiel University (CAU) and the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), is seeking a PhD student with a strong background in statistics, machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI), or bioinformatics.

Our group develops novel computational and statistical methods for the analysis of large-scale genomic, clinical, and phenotypic data, including phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS), statistical genetics, and precision medicine applications. This includes the development of scalable software tools and pipelines, potentially leveraging GPU/FPGA accelerators. Our aim is to build next-generation molecular atlases for chronic diseases and to improve patient stratification for personalized prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.

We collaborate closely with the Department of Computer Science (CAU), the Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine (CCIM), and the Competence Centre for Genomic Analysis (CCGA). As part of the cluster of excellence “Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation” (PMI), our group has published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, including numerous high-impact articles in statistical genetics, biomedical data science, bioinformatics, and genomics.


Start in our team:
Join our team and support us as soon as possible, initially on a fixed-term contract for 3 years, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and funding availability.

Develop and apply computational, statistical, and ML-based methods for large-scale genomic and phenotypic datasets (e.g., PheWAS, statistical genetics, prediction models)
Analyze high-dimensional data from biobanks and clinical information systems
Contribute to teaching activities in the Medical Life Sciences program
Complete your PhD at Kiel University (CAU), with a doctoral degree awarded either through the Faculty of Engineering or the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, depending on your academic background and preference

Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a closely related field with a strong quantitative focus on these fields
Solid foundation in statistics and/or machine learning, e.g., supervised learning, regression modeling, model evaluation, or high-dimensional data analysis
Good programming skills in Python and/or R; experience with Linux/HPC environments is an advantage
Experience with genomic data analysis, high-performance computing, GPU programming, or software development is a plus
Excellent English communication skills and strong ability to work collaboratively

Competitive salary according to TV-L E13 (75%), subject to collective bargaining regulations
An interdisciplinary, data-rich research environment with access to biobank-scale genomic datasets and state-of-the-art technologies
Close collaboration with computational experts, core facilities (Genomics and Bioinformatics), and partners within the PMI Excellence Cluster
Opportunities for conference participation, workshops, and advanced training
Flexible working hours and support in balancing work and family life



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