Öffentliches Dienst: Collaborative Doctoral Project (PhD Position) – AI-Guided Design of Scaffold-Free DNA Nanostructures

Das Forschungszentrum Jülich in Nordrhein-Westfalen sucht talentierte Nachwuchswissenschaftler für ein spannendes doktorales Projekt im Bereich der DNA-Nanostrukturen. Hierbei steht die KI-gestützte Gestaltung von strukturfreien DNA-Molekülen im Mittelpunkt. In einer Zeit, in der gesellschaftliche Herausforderungen komplexer werden, treibt uns die Forschung an, innovative Lösungsansätze zu finden.

Als Teil der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft motiviert uns der Gedanke, entscheidende gesellschaftliche Fragen zu bewältigen. In einem interdisziplinären Umfeld, das rund 7.500 Beschäftigte umfasst, arbeiten wir an Themen wie digitalisierte Gesellschaften, klimafreundlichen Energiesystemen und ressourcenschonender
Wirtschaft.

Hast du Interesse an einem vierjährigen Promotionsprojekt, das Wissenschaftsdisziplinen miteinander verbindet und neue wissenschaftliche Horizonte eröffnet? Das Programm für Collaborative Doctoral Projects bietet dir diese Möglichkeit! Hier arbeitest du eng mit erfahrenen Forschern und nimmst an einem interdisziplinären Austausch teil, der für die Lösung heutiger Herausforderungen entscheidend ist.

Das Projekt zielt darauf ab, mithilfe von numerischen Modellen, Experimenten und Künstlicher Intelligenz programmierbare DNA-Architekturen zu entwerfen, die als Bausteine für künstliche Zellnachbildungen dienen können. Zu deinen Aufgaben gehören das Durchführen von Simulationen, die Entwicklung von AI-Modellen zur Vorhersage von DNA-Strukturen und die experimentelle Validierung der Ergebnisse.

Wir bieten dir einen attraktiven Arbeitsort mit einer dynamischen Forschungsumgebung, modernster Infrastruktur und ein starkes internationales Team. Zudem erwarten dich zahlreiche Networking- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten durch das JuDocS-Programm. Ein entspannter Arbeitsort in einer grünen Umgebung, flexible Arbeitszeiten und 30 Tage Urlaub runden das Angebot ab.

Wenn du also bereit bist, an der Zukunft der Biotechnologie mitzuarbeiten, dann bewirb dich jetzt! Unterstützung und Ressourcen warten auf dich, um großartige Ideen in die Tat umzusetzen. Gemeinsam können wir Veränderungen gestalten.

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Jobtitel

Collaborative Doctoral Project (PhD Position) – AI-Guided Design of Scaffold-Free DNA Nanostructures

Unternehmen

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Vollständige Stellenbeschreibung

Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungszentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possibilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 7,500 employees in one of Europe’s biggest research centers and help us to shape change!Are you eager to pursue a four-year doctoral project that bridges scientific disciplines? Are you excited by complex societal challenges that demand interdisciplinary solutions? Then the Program for Collaborative Doctoral Projects is the perfect opportunity for you. Many of today’s most pressing problems can only be tackled through interdisciplinary collaboration. That’s why our projects are designed specifically to connect diverse scientific fields and foster cross-institutional collaboration, enabling you to benefit from the combined expertise and supervision of experienced researchers from multiple institutes at Forschungszentrum Jülich. As one of Europe’s largest and most multidisciplinary research centers, Forschungszentrum Jülich offers access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and a vibrant scientific community. Join us in developing solutions for a rapidly changing world and help shape the future by working in an international environment. For more information about the Program for Collaborative Doctoral Projects please visit: go.fzj.de/Collaborative-Doctoral-Projects.We are offering an interestingCollaborative Doctoral Project (PhD Position) – AI-Guided Design of Scaffold-Free DNA Nanostructures
AufgabenThe field of structural DNA nanotechnology holds a great promise for the realization of all-DNA building blocks with arbitrary complexity and shape at the sub-nanometer scale. Such structures can be used to construct artificial cell mimics and new materials. A scaffold-free DNA tile assembly is a programmable method for the formation of two- and three-dimensional DNA structures which self-assemble from a number of interacting single-stranded DNA molecules. An accurate prediction of DNA structures still remains difficult, which significantly slows down the development of new desirable nanostructures.In this project, we will combine numerical models, experiments, and artificial intelligence (AI) to guide the design of specific DNA nanoconstructs. The primary goal is to build an AI-based digital twin, which can predict the assortment and sequence of two-dimensional all-DNA motifs required for the engineering desired tessellation patterns at the nanometer scale. We will use available DNA thermodynamic database, coarse-grained simulations of DNA motifs, and existing experimental data to establish an AI model that is able to guide the construction of desired secondary structures. Experimental validation of the established AI model is also expected to be a part of this project.Specifically, your tasks will be:

Running numerical simulations to generate training data
Building transformer-like AI models which can predict DNA structures
Performing experiments for validation
Participation in conferences in Germany and abroad (including presenting your research results)
Preparing scientific publications and project reports

Profil

Strong motivation for an interdisciplinary project that combines numerical models, experiments, and artificial intelligence
A master’s degree or diploma in physics, applied mathematics, or a relevant engineering discipline
Good programming skills and experience with numerical modeling
Interest in performing experiments
Excellent written and spoken English skills
High degree of independence and commitment
Experience with machine learning and high-performance computing is advantageous, but not necessary

Wir bietenWe work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

A large research campus in a green setting, offering excellent opportunities for networking with colleagues and for sports and recreation alongside your work
Experienced and friendly international research team with a strong background in biophysics and soft matter
Cutting-edge computational facilities, including the on-site top European supercomputers
Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
Continuous professional support from your scientific supervisors
30 days of annual leave
The option of flexible working arrangements
A structured doctoral program for you and your supervisors with a comprehensive range of training and networking opportunities via the JuDocS doctoral platform: fz-juelich.de/judocs
Targeted services for international employees, e.g., through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: go.fzj.de/benefits.We offer a four-year PhD position. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD). Depending on your qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks, we offer salary grade 13 TVöD-Bund (up to 100%) and additionally 60% of a monthly salary as special payment (“Christmas bonus”). The monthly salaries in euro can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt.Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at fz-juelich.de/en/careers/phd.CRJT1_DE

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