Postdoctoral Researcher / ML Scientist für die KPA IMfESS (f/m/x) Wiss2606-13

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Postdoctoral Researcher / ML Scientist for the KPA IMfESS (f/m/x)

Department of Computer Science

We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region.

Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne

make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in

science, technology, and administration.

The position combines independent academic research in machine learning and artificial WE OFFER

intelligence with a coordination role at the newly established ELLIS Unit NRW (https://ellis- » Scientific independence, combining ML/AI research with strategic coordination

unit-nrw.github.io/) and strategic work at the intersection of AI and Earth System Sciences » A diverse working environment with equal opportunities

(ESS). It is embedded within Professor Bojchevski‘s research group in the Department of » Support in balancing work and family life

Computer Science. The successful candidate will advance robust, scalable, and reprodu- » Flexible working time models

cible ML/AI methods and help translate recent AI innovations into sustainable scientific

» Extensive advanced training opportunities

workflows for Earth System Sciences (ESS).

» Occupational health management offers

YOUR TASKS The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications

» Conduct independent research on ML/AI methods within the Key Profile Area Intellifrom all suitable candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin,

gent Methods for Earth System Science (IMfESS) https://imfess.uni-koeln.de)

religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

» Support KPA IMfESS research groups in model design, evaluation, and deployment

» Support deployment of (scalable) ML pipelines, standardize workflows and documen-

The position is available from 1 October 2026 on a full-time basis (39,83 hours per

tation and contribute to shared code

week). The position is to be filled for a fixed term until 30 September 2029. If the

» Contribute to training formats (e.g. summer schools) and interdisciplinary teaching at

applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and has the appropriate personal

the interface of AI and ESS.

qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for

» Support the coordination of the ELLIS Unit NRW and further collaborative research

the German public sector.

initiatives

YOUR PROFILE Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications (without a photo) under

https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de The reference number is Wiss2606-13. The application dead-

» Completed doctoral degree, or doctoral degree close to completion, in Compu- line is 20 July 2026.

ter Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computational

Sciences, or a related field. For further inquiries, please contact Professor Aleksandar Bojchevski at

» Strong background in ML/AI. (bojchevski@cs.uni-koeln.de) and take a look at our FAQs.

» Prior experience in scientific ML, foundation models, and spatio-temporal modeling is

desirable but not required.

» Prior experience in Earth System Sciences is desirable but not required

» Excellent programming skills and experience with modern ML frameworks, reproducible workflows, and collaborative software development.

» Experience with scalable ML workflows, high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, or research software engineering is an advantage

» Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration at the interface of AI, Computer Science, and

Earth System Sciences.

» Strong communication, organizational, and documentation skills, and very good

written and spoken English.