The Data Science Center of Leipzig University and ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig seeks to fill the following position:

Junior Research Group Leader for Machine Learning (m/f/d/x)

Job vacancy from 18.03.2026 · Reference number 42/2026

Remuneration

salary group 15 TV-L

Term

Fixed term appointment in accordance with qualification planning *

Volume

Full-time position (100 %)

Start date

the earliest possible date

* initially for 2 years, with the possibility of extension for up to 4 years subject to 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.

The successful candidate will establish and lead a junior research group funded by ScaDS.AI at Leipzig University. The group will comprise the Junior Research Group Leader and one research assistant (m/f/d/x; salary group 13 TV-L). For research proposals of outstanding quality, an additional research assistant position may be considered.
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 a Central Institution of Leipzig University which aims at bringing together more than 300 members of staff. Within ScaDS.AI, a range of research topics is pursued as part of a graduate school focusing on the fundamentals and applications of data science and artificial intelligence. In addition, service-oriented solutions are developed in close collaboration with a large number of 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.

The role

Establish and lead a junior research group conducting fundamental research that strengthens and complements the research focus of ScaDS.AI. Relevant areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the foundations of graph learning, deep learning theory, interpretability and representation learning, generative models, reinforcement learning and neurosymbolic AI.
Conduct independent and internationally visible research in machine learning and AI with publications in leading conferences and journals such as NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML and comparable venues
Contribute to strengthening the centre’s international research excellence
Foster exchange of expertise and research results with national AI centres and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with non-university research partners

About you

Degree in computer science or another relevant field of study
Completed doctoral degree
Proven track record in the field of machine learning with publications at globally recognised top-tier venues
Ability to conduct creative, independent research on complex problems and to develop new research directions
Excellent command of English (written and spoken)

What we offer you

Work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of PhD students, postdocs, application researchers, transfer and industry experts as well as internationally recognised AI and data science researchers
An innovative environment, supported by modern computing infrastructure and access to the ScaDS.AI Living Lab, an open experimental field for data science and AI technology
a responsible role in the exciting environment of a large university
working in a friendly, helpful, and high-performing team
flexible working hours and mobile working for a better work-life balance
Opportunities for further training and professional development as part of a structured staff development programme
diverse range of corporate health management
Remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the states, including annual bonus and company pension plan
excellent transport links and the option to purchase a discounted public transport ticket, such as the Deutschlandticket as a commuter pass
extensive catering in the cafeterias and cafés of the Leipzig Student Services Association

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.

Have we sparked your interest?

Please send your application with the usual documents together with your research concept for the establishment of a junior research group (max. 4 pages excluding references for the research concept), quoting reference number 42/2025 to: Leipzig University, Data Science Center, Professor Gerik Scheuermann, Humboldtstraße 25, 04105 Leipzig by 15 April 2026. You are also welcome to email your application as a single PDF file to hr-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.