PhD/Junior Researcher or PostDoc/Senior Researcher (m/f/d)

Starting at the nearest possible date, we are looking for a PhD/Junior Researcher or PostDoc/Senior Researcher (m/f/d) for the Information Service Engineering department (ISE) at our headquarters. 
 
The ISE division, led by Prof. Dr. Harald Sack, investigates models and methods for efficient semantic indexing, aggregation, linking and retrieval of comprehensive heterogeneous and distributed data sources. To this end, both statistical and linguistic analysis methods (NLP) as well as machine learning in combination with symbolic knowledge representation are applied (Neurosymbolic AI).
 
The position is located in the Knowledge Graph department (ISE-KG), a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment dedicated to advancing research in knowledge graph technologies. The team focuses on a broad range of topics, including ontology design, knowledge extraction, data transformation, and representation, as well as exploring emerging areas in semantic data integration and automated reasoning. 
 
ISE research relies and extends on knowledge representation standards developed for the Semantic Web. ISE research application areas include, but are not limited to, solutions for knowledge extraction, semantic annotation, semantic and exploratory search, as well as recommender systems and question answering. Besides basic methodological research, domains of applied ISE research are, amongst others, cultural heritage, digital humanities, materials science, and research data management.
 
The position is related to the BMFTR project Plattform MaterialDigital III (PMD III, 2025-2028) and is focused on but not limited to Ontological Engineering tasks in the application domain of materials science engineering. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual pursuing a successful scientific career in knowledge-driven Artificial Intelligence, with a strong interest in ontologies and knowledge graphs.

Your responsibilities:

• Conducting innovative research on ontologies, ontology design, and ontological engineering related technologies in the application domain of material science engineering with participation in scientific publications and other academic activities.
• Taking on PMD III project work in coordination with the relevant supervisor or project coordinator, project-related reporting and documentation, representing the interests of ISE-KG in project meetings.
• Collaborating on the preparation of project- or research-related third-party funding applications from national, European and/or international funding programmes.
• The co-supervision of master, bachelor theses, (for PostDocs also PhD theses) in coordination with Prof. Dr. Harald Sack.

Your qualifications:

• A very good Master degree (for PostDocs PhD degree) in computer science or a comparable discipline.
• Very good software engineering skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English, German language skills are an advantage but are not mandatory.
• Motivation and excitement in dealing with challenging research problems and in developing convincing solutions as a team.
• For Post Docs:
  - Publications of research results in renowned international, peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
  - Experience in the acquisition of funding from national, European and/or international funding agencies is
    highly beneficial, but not mandatory. 

Optimally, you have expertise in two or more of the following research areas:

• Ontologies, Ontology Design and Ontological Engineering
• Knowledge Graphs and Semantic Technologies
• Large Language Models and Machine Learning

The candidate should be highly self-motivated, interested in tackling challenging research problems, have excellent organizational skills, be open minded, and have scientific leadership potential.

Why FIZ Karlsruhe is a good employer for you:

• Promoting the scientific development of young researchers is an important goal of FIZ Karlsruhe. Candidates for PhD or habilitation will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Harald Sack (FIZ Karlsruhe & KIT Karlsruhe).
• Flexible work schedules and remote work options of up to 80 percent.
• With us, you will get the chance to work in a diverse team with colleagues that are more than happy to welcome new team members of all backgrounds, genders and ages.
• Because our team is not only based at FIZ Karlsruhe, but also at KIT, we offer you the opportunity to gain experience in teaching and to engage in discourse with students at KIT, either in person or through our online formats.
• In addition, we offer a productive and a constantly developing research and working environment and actively support you in your further scientific endeavors.
• Compensation in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for the public sector (TVöD (VKA)), including a company pension plan through VBL.
• Good work-life balance, certified by the berufundfamilie audit.
• Access to company bicycle leasing and a €25 employer subsidy for the Deutschland-Ticket.

The position is a full-time, fixed-term role within the project, running until 30 September 2028, with the option of working part-time. Compensation is based on pay grade 13 TVöD (VKA) depending on professional and personal qualifications.

Contact

If you have any technical questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Harald Sack (harald.sack [at] fiz-karlsruhe.de (harald[dot]sack[at]fiz-karlsruhe[dot]de)) or Dr. Jörg Waitelonis (joerg.waitelonis [at] fiz-karlsruhe.de (joerg[dot]waitelonis[at]fiz-karlsruhe[dot]de)).

Have we sparked your interest?

Please send us your application through our career portal online. 
 Reference number: 08/2026
 Deadline: August 20, 2026
 
 Applications from persons with severe disabilities will be given preference, provided they are equally qualified.
1) detailed curriculum vitae 
2) copies of degree certificates & transcripts
3) publication record or writing samples from your thesis
4) letters of recommendation (preferably at least two)
5) a letter of motivation covering your research goals