PhD students (multiple positions) Artificial Intelligence within Public Health Research (all genders) (44/26)

The Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research (ZKI-PH) at the RKI bridges the RKI's traditional expertise in research of infectious and non-communicable diseases with the methods of artificial intelligence. It combines bioinformatics, computational epidemiology, modern data visualisation, and big data and systems analysis with machine learning, artificial intelligence, decision research, and the development of realistic computer simulations in the field of public health.

The ZKI-PH sees itself as a multi- and cross-disciplinary centre that strategically supports the RKI's advances in public health research. In collaboration with colleagues from other RKI departments, the following project concepts for the fifth PhD cohort (2026 - 2029) offer jointly supervised PhD projects with an AI focus.

Topic overview:

1. Integrating machine learning and phylogeography to trace Staphylococcus aureus outbreaks in healthcare facilities
2. Deep-Learning-based species identification and prediction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in bacterial isolates
3. Exploration and integration of AMR drivers in Germany and beyond
4. Representation learning and explainable AI for functional peptide discovery
5. Deep Learning for uncovering hidden genomic drivers of Vibrio cholerae fitness
6. Predictive analysis of climate-related medication use and vulnerable population groups by linking survey data, statutory health insurance, and meteorological data in Germany
7. Applying AI/ML methods for the global assessment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and policy interventions

Applications are open until 30 April 2026.