DZNE is a world-leading, internationally oriented center for cutting-edge research into diseases of the nervous system.

At 10 locations in Germany, around 1,200 employees are working together on new approaches to better understand and effectively combat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS. 

That is our goal - maybe soon yours too? Become part of the DZNE and support us in realizing our research strategy!

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/x) in AI and Neurodegeneration

Code: 4067/2025/5

We invite applications for a postdoctoral position (24 + 24 months) in the Modeling and Neuroprognosis Group at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Magdeburg, Germany. The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of artificial intelligence, medical imaging, and translational neuroscience in the context of ageing and neurodegeneration.

Project Context

The position is part of an ambitious interdisciplinary research program aiming to model disease trajectories, integrate multimodal biomarkers, and uncover individual risk and resilience factors for brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. The group combines Deep learning, Bayesian inference, and latent variable modeling to establish robust and interpretable models of individual differences in aging and disease progression using data from large-scale neuroimaging studies, cognitive phenotyping, and molecular biomarkers. The project is embedded in a state-of-the-art research infrastructure, high-performance computing, large cohorts, and benefits from the collaborative environment of the DZNE (including 10 sites), the University Hospital Magdeburg, and the CRC 1436.

Your role in detail

• Conduct and publish high-impact research on AI-based models of brain ageing and neurodegeneration.
• Design and implement novel representation learning architectures (e.g., SSL, contrastive learning, uncertainty quantification) and disease progression models (e.g., latent multimodal dynamics).
• Integrate high-dimensional multimodal data (MRI, PET, cognitive, fluid biomarkers) into cohesive models.
• Contribute to collaborative studies and mentoring of junior researchers.

Your qualifications

• PhD in Machine Learning, Computational Neuroscience, Biomedical Data Science, Physics, Applied Math, or related fields.
• Proven expertise in at least one of the following: representation learning, disease progression modeling, Bayesian or deep generative models.
• Proficient in Python and common ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn).
• Experience with neuroimaging (e.g., MRI or PET) or medical datasets is highly desirable.
• Excellent scientific writing, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Motivation to work in a collaborative, translational, and interdisciplinary context.

What our employees value

• Innovation and internationality - a forward-looking infrastructure (inlcuding cutting-edge computational and imaging infrastructure (7T MRI, HPC)), modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Work-life balance - we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days' holiday (On top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidised job/ Germany ticket options
• Family-conscious corporate culture - because we know that family is important, we support you with family services 
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health programmes, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Focus on development - training programmes tailored to your individual needs and annual HR-development meetings for concrete prospects and potential development. Also close mentorship, including support for career development and independent funding applications (e.g., DFG, ERC, NIH).
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund - including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits and VBL supplementary pension scheme
• Personalised Onboarding - for a good start to your new professional challenge
• Initial 2-year contract with the option for a 2-year extension, depending on performance and funding. Funding for international travel to conferences

Application Process

Please submit a single PDF including:

• Cover letter detailing your motivation and alignment with the position
• Curriculum vitae including publication list, PhD thesis
• 2 academic references
• Copies of academic transcripts and PhD certificate

Submit your application via the DZNE online portal. For informal inquiries, contact

Dr. Gabriel Ziegler (gabriel.ziegler@dzne.de)

Position start: ideally 1st of September, 2025 or later.

Site

Application deadline

30.08.2025