The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and ScaDS.AI seek to fill the follow position:

Junior Research Group Leader for Data Science (m/f/d/x)

Job posting from 2025-05-28 · Reference number 91/2025

Salary group

15 TV-L

Term

Fixed term in line with qualification planning

Volume

100% of a full-time position

Start date

at the earliest opportunity

Fixed term in line initially planned for three years, with the possibility of extension for up to three years following a positive evaluation

Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.

ScaDS.AI (Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence) Dresden/Leipzig is one of the permanently established national centres for artificial intelligence at Leipzig University and TU Dresden, funded by the federal government and the Free State of Saxony. The Leipzig sub-centre is being established as a central institution of Leipzig University and will, in the medium term, bring together more than 200 staff members at the Leipzig site alone. In ScaDS.AI, a range of research topics are pursued within the framework of a graduate school focusing on the fundamentals and applications of data science and artificial intelligence. In addition, service-oriented solutions are developed, and there is close cooperation with numerous partner organisations from academia and industry. The centre offers an excellent working environment with access to state-of-the-art technologies and an outstanding high-performance computing infrastructure.

A junior research group consists of a junior research group leader (m/f/d/x) and one research assistant (m/f/d/x; salary group 13 TV-L), both funded by ScaDS.AI at Leipzig University. In exceptional cases, where the research concept is of outstanding quality, an additional research assistant position may be provided.

Your tasks

Establishment and management of a junior research group for methodological basic research that strengthens and complements the research focus of ScaDS.AI:
- In artificial intelligence (e.g. machine learning, computer vision, foundation models, neurosymbolic AI, and explainability)
- In scalable data management and engineering for AI/data science, such as in data cleaning, data integration, knowledge management, high-performance database systems, data streaming, time series, data analysis
Independent and internationally visible research on data science and AI methods, with publication of research results at top conferences and in leading journals of the AI and data science communities
Scientific contribution to the development of international excellence
Exchange of expertise and research results with national AI centres and interdisciplinary collaboration with non-university research partners

What we need

Degree in computer science, data science, statistics, mathematics or another relevant field
Doctorate
A strong research record in either machine learning in AI or data management and engineering, evidenced by publications at leading international venues
Proven ability to conduct creative, independent research on complex problems and to explore new research areas and generate new knowledge
Excellent command of English, both spoken and written

What we offer

Work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of PhD students, postdocs, application researchers, transfer and industry experts, as well as internationally renowned AI and data science researchers
An innovative environment supported by modern workstations and an open experimental space for data science and AI technologies in the ScaDS.AI Living Lab
A modern workplace and attractive working conditions (mobile working)
Flexible working hours and work-life balance
Goal-oriented staff development throughout your working life, with opportunities for continuing professional development
Pension plan
Discounted local public transport ticket (e.g. the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket)

Leipzig University aims to increase the proportion of women in positions of responsibility and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Severely disabled persons – or persons deemed legally equal to them under Book IX of the German Social Code – are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance with this application process, please contact Leipzig University’s disability officers at: schwerbehindertenvertretung@uni-leipzig.de.

We have sparked your interest?

Please send your application, with the usual documents and your own research concept for establishing a junior research group (max. 4 pages), quoting reference number 91/2025 to: Leipzig University, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dean Professor Bernd Kirchheim, Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig by 25 June 2025. You are also welcome to email your application as a single PDF file to fmi@uni-leipzig.de.

If you have any questions, please contact the director of ScaDS.AI Leipzig, Professor Erhard Rahm (tel. +49 341 97-39300; email: scads@uni-leipzig.de).

Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

Privacy information

If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your application documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by Leipzig University – as the advertiser of the position – exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the position advertised. It will not be passed on to third parties without your consent in the individual case. The legal basis for such data processing is Sect. 11(1) of the Saxon Data Protection Implementation Act (SächsDSDG) in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The controller for the application process within the meaning of the GDPR is the addressee of the application, specified in the advertisement.

Your personal data will be stored for six months after the end of the recruitment process and then erased or destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may refuse or withdraw your consent with effect for the future without giving reasons. In these cases, Leipzig University will not or no longer be able to process and consider your application. Under the GDPR, subject to the relevant statutory requirements you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application with regard to your personal data: right of access (Art. 15 GDPR); right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR); right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR); right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR); and right to object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR). If you have any questions, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Leipzig University (office: Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Saxon Commissioner for Data Protection.