Research Scientist in Secure and Federated AI for Health

Contract Duration-Length of Time (years/months): 2 years

Contract Duration-Is this renewable to 9 years?: No

About the team/job

The research group of Oliver Stegle at EMBL (https://www.embl.de/research/units/genome_biology/stegle) is looking for a highly motivated staff scientist to work on the ELSA project (https://www.elsa-ai.eu) – European Lighthouse on Secure and Safe AI. The successful candidate will be embedded in our research group and will work closely with colleagues at the EMBL Data Science Center and external partners of the ELSA consortium.

Our laboratory has a track record in the development of machine learning methods for human omics data. In the context of the ELSA consortium, we seek to address pertinent challenges in secure and safe AI for human health. The EC-funded ELSA project has the goal to deliver novel algorithmic solutions for health by bringing the privacy and health communities together. This specific role will focus on the ELSA health use case, which is coordinated by Oliver Stegle and Nvidia.

Your role

Your primary task is to foster novel innovations in the field of safe and privacy-preserving AI for health. The role will entail the development and implementation of novel algorithmic solutions, ideally in collaboration with partners of the ELSA consortium. In addition to theoretical and computational development, we also foresee the definition of challenges and relevant benchmarks to be a significant component of the role. The role can also entail interactions with EMBL data services, such as the European Genome-Phenome Archive, where novel federated learning solutions can be implemented in praxis. Engagement in additional measures of ELSA, for example to stimulate interactions between the privacy and health communities would be welcomed.

You have

Applicants should have a Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in computer science, mathematics or physics, or a Ph.D. biology with a proven track record in quantitative and computational modelling. Research experience and a track record in AI, ideally connected to privacy or federated learning, is expected. Advanced programming skills are required.Excellent communication skills and the ability to drive your own work while collaborating within a team are essential.

You might also have

Experience in health research or genomics are beneficial but not required. The post is equally suited for a scientist with a background in AI for health or with a background in AI for privacy and/or federated learning.

Why join us

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a highly collaborative scientific environment to advance the state-of-the-art in privacy preserving and safe AI for health. The position will provide ample opportunities to interact with other colleagues at EMBL and in the Heidelberg area. The post will be connected to the Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (http://www.ellis.eu) at multiple levels - via the ELSA project, the Ellis Health program (https://ellis.eu/programs/ellis-health) and via the local ELLIS unit Heidelberg (http://www.ellis-life-heidelberg.eu).

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits.

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1600 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new technologies and instruments in the life sciences, actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research.

Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

Please submit your application documents via our online system, including your CV and a brief letter summarizing your future research interests.

Click on the ‘Apply’ button above to apply online