Bioinformatician / Computational Virologist Wet Lab (f/m/d)
Medical University Clinic, Institute of Tropical Medicine, index number 7062
Full-time100 %
Limited: 31.12.2030
Start of work:09.02.2026
Application deadline:13.01.2026
Bioinformatics & Machine Learning
- Analyse whole-genome sequencing (WGS), metagenomic, virome, and amplicon sequencing datasets
- Develop and apply machine learning/AI algorithms for pathogen detection, viral classification, outbreak clustering and biomarker discovery
- Perform de novo assembly, viral genome reconstruction, contamination filtering, and taxonomic classification
- Implement pipelines for novel virus discovery, including detection of low-abundance or unexpected viral sequences
- Integrate multi-modal datasets (clinical, genomic, immunological) for computational modelling
- Maintain and optimise bioinformatics workflows using Nextflow/Snakemake, HPC clusters and cloud-based systems
Wet Lab & Sequencing
- Perform nucleic acid extraction, library preparation (Illumina & ONT), QC and troubleshooting of sequencing runs
- Contribute to development of metagenomic protocols, enrichment strategies, and optimization of sample processing for low-viral-load specimens
- Work with viruses of public health importance, including arboviruses and respiratory pathogens, under appropriate biosafety conditions
- Support experimental design for viral discovery, outbreak investigations, and research projects
Research & Collaboration
- Actively contribute to projects within PACE-UP, VG-CARE, ITM Tübingen, DZIF, and international partner networks
- Co-author manuscripts, present findings at conferences, and engage in capacity-building activities
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to PhD/MSc trainees.
Required Qualifications
- MSc or PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Molecular Virology, Genomics, Computer Science or a related field
- Proven experience analysing NGS datasets (Illumina and/or ONT), including metagenomics and WGS
- Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with experience using ML libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
- Demonstrated proficiency in viral genome assembly, phylogenetics, variant analysis and taxonomic classification
- Hands-on experience with wet lab molecular biology: library prep, PCR, sequencing workflows
- Familiarity with respiratory viruses, enteric viruses, arboviruses, flaviviruses or viral haemorrhagic fevers
- Ability to independently manage projects and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team
Desired Skills
- Experience with novel virus discovery pipelines (Kraken2/Bracken, MetaPhlAn, Kaiju, Centrifuge, viralDetect, etc.)
- Experience working in BSL-2 / BSL-2+ virology settings
- Knowledge of phylogenomic analysis, outbreak genomics, molecular epidemiology
- Experience with ONT adaptive sampling, long-read error correction and hybrid assemblies
- Familiarity with cloud computing (AWS, Google Cloud) and containerization (Docker/Singularity)
Benefits
- A collaborative, multicultural team strongly engaged in global health research embedded in international consortia on infectious diseases and outbreak preparedness
- Opportunities to contribute to high-impact research on emerging and re-emerging viruses in Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe
- Access to Illumina MiSeq, MiSeq i100, ONT MinION/GridION, mobile sequencing laboratories and field surveillance initiatives
- Opportunities for career development
The Institute for Tropical Medicine at the University Hospital Tübingen and the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen is seeking a highly motivated Bioinformatician/Computational Virologist with strong wet laboratory experience to join our multidisciplinary team of Prof. Dr. Velavan, working at the interface of molecular virology, metagenomics, machine learning, and outbreak-related pathogen discovery.
Our research focuses on viruses of unknown etiology, arboviruses, flaviviruses, viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) agents, and respiratory and enteric viral pathogens, with particular emphasis on viruses that are difficult to detect in routine diagnostic samples. The position offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge sequencing technologies—including Illumina MiSeq, Illumina MiSeq i100, and Oxford Nanopore platforms—within internationally networked research environments. The successful candidate will engage closely with global outbreak-preparedness initiatives and international consortia, including the PAN-ASEAN Coalition for Epidemic and Outbreak Preparedness (PACE-UP), located at the Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research
Index number: 7062
Including CV and cover letter
Application deadline: 13.01.2026
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