Data Scientist (m/f/div) (PhD) in Biophysics

The research of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) covers a wide range of topics, including nonlinear optics, quantum optics, nanophotonics, photonic crystal fibers, opto­mechanics, quantum technologies, biophysics, and links between physics and medicine.
The Biological Optomechanics Division at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light is looking for a

Data Scientist (m/f/div) (PhD) in Biophysics

About us:
Cells are the basic entities of biological systems. They have particular physical properties, which enable them to navigate their 3D physical environment and fulfill their biological functions. We investigate these physical - mechanical and optical - properties of living cells and tissues using novel photonics and biophysical tools to test their biological importance. Our ultimate goal is the transfer of our findings to medical applications and to improve cell-based diagnostics. We are a highly interdisciplinary research group and value an open culture of knowledge transfer.
Project description:
A large fraction of our research centers on deformability cytometry (DC), a high-throughput microfluidics-based imaging technique for cells. With DC, we can rapidly measure vast numbers of cells, identify cell types (e.g., in blood), and characterize them optically (via their bright field image structure) and mechanically (via their deformation due to microfluidic shear stresses). In proof-of-concept studies we have demonstrated that DC data signatures are sensitive to pathological changes during diseases.
With this project, we are bringing DC to the diagnostics field. We are setting up a two-year long project in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics at the University Hospital Erlangen starting in March 2024. Cell shape morphological and texture features obtained in DC will be used as predictors in various machine learning (ML) models aiming to diagnose a range of diseases, which will be the basis for the development of a powerful new analysis tool capable of revolutionizing cell-based diagnostics.
Your responsibilities:
During this project your responsibilities could range between various tasks:

• Building various ML models using images and tabular data from deformation cytometry (DC) experiments as predictors
• Performing statistical analysis, unsupervised and supervised clustering models to categorize, characterize, and predict various diseases
• Ensuring data quality and reproducibility
• Building a SQL data base and data acquiring pipelines
• Writing scientific articles and keep regular meetings with collaborators in the medical field

Your profile

• You have a PhD in one of the following fields: biophysics, physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and ideally three plus years of experience in data science within or outside of academia or a master’s degree and ideally five plus years of full-time working experience as a data scientist in a related field
• You are very skilled with Python and following libraries: NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, statsmodels, PyTorch / TensorFlow / Keras
• You are skilled in a range or supervised and unsupervised ML models, for example: unsupervised clustering methods, multivariate linear regression, random forest, gradient boosting, support vector machines, etc.
• You are good in statistical analysis and you are very familiar with concepts like: p-value, effect size, rank non-parametric vs. parametric statistics, group comparison, etc.
• You know how to tell a story with data and how to choose most insightful data visualization
• You have experience with classical and deep learning-based image analysis (preferably you are familiar with a variety of convolutional neural networks like U-Net, ResNet, etc.)
• Experience with big data technologies, SQL, and cloud computing is a plus
• Experience with Git and best coding practices is a plus
• Familiarity with cellular viscous-elasticity theory is a plus
• You are interested in cell biology, medical devices, and scientific research
• Good communication skills and full professional proficiency in English

The project duration is for initially two years with the possibility of extension. Apply via our online application tool: https://jobs.mpl.mpg.de/en/jobposting/76469dce83cef4edba8b513a927e35cf56....
The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts
Personalabteilung
Staudtstraße 2
91058 Erlangen