Open Position as Head of Engineering and Support Unit at DKFZ. Join our team!

We’re expanding our team! We are currently looking for a new team lead for our Engineering and Support Unit at DKFZ. The deadline for applications is August 15, 2025.

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is Germany’s largest biomedical research institution. As a core partner in Helmholtz Imaging (HI), DKFZ is committed to advancing imaging science and technology across all scales, modalities, and scientific domains. The Support Unit at DKFZ plays a critical role in empowering scientists across Helmholtz and beyond by developing tailored AI solutions, providing out-of-the-box algorithms for cross-domain application, and advancing evaluation practices through benchmark design and metric development.

Your Tasks

The successful candidate will lead a dedicated support and research team at the interface of applied computer vision and biomedical research. Responsibilities include:

• Managing and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of machine learning and image analysis experts
• Supporting research groups across the Helmholtz Association in the development and deployment of customized image analysis pipelines
• Overseeing the design and implementation of algorithmic solutions, from prototyping to deployment
• Supporting the reproducibility and robustness of image analysis through benchmark design, metric development, and challenge organization
• Developing and maintaining open-source tools for image analysis and benchmarking
• Fostering close collaborations with scientific groups, platform partners (e.g., DESY, MDC), and core facilities
• Promoting open science, software sustainability, and knowledge sharing

The team lead will work closely with HI and DKFZ leadership to shape strategy, identify emerging challenges in biomedical imaging, and ensure the alignment of lab activities with institutional goals.

Your Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and solution-oriented professional with a strong technical background and leadership experience. The ideal candidate will have:

• A master’s degree and PhD in computer science, physics, maths or a related discipline
• A doctoral thesis with a focus on fundamental or applied machine learning
• Several years of experience in applied machine learning and/or computer vision
• Proven expertise in developing AI-based and classical image analysis algorithms
• Proven experience in the development of open-source frameworks
• A strong track record in validation of medical imaging methods
• A solid track record in leading projects or teams, with excellent communication and coordination skills
• Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration
• Familiarity with software development best practices and open-source tool ecosystems

Prior experience in annotation management and international experience would be favorable.

The position offers you:

• A leadership role within a dynamic, highly collaborative scientific environment
• The opportunity to work at the forefront of AI, contributing to real-world research challenges
• Close integration with leading imaging and machine learning initiatives through HI
• Access to cutting-edge infrastructure and computing resources
• An international workplace in one of Europe’s leading research hubs

Application

Please submit a single PDF file including a cover letter addressed to Prof. Klaus Maier-Hein (Head Medical Image Computing, DKFZ and Helmholtz Imaging Center Coordinator) and Prof. Lena Maier-Hein (Head Intelligent Medical Systems, DKFZ and Helmholtz Imaging Center Coordinator), your curriculum vitae, list of publications or relevant project contributions, and contact details for at least two references.

Apply by August 15, 2025.

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