Software & AI Lead (m/f/d)

Want to help shape the future of point-of-care diagnostics?

BugSense is developing a paper-based diagnostic test that identifies urinary tract infections, bacterial load and antibiotic resistance within one working day. Our goal is to help clinicians make faster, more precise treatment decisions and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

This is where software and AI become critical: our diagnostic test produces subtle colour signals on paper.

Your work will help turn those signals into reliable clinical answers.

ABOUT BUGSENSE

We are a deep-tech founding team at TU Munich, EXIST-funded with 1.2M € through 2028, with three patent families and clinical partnerships with university hospitals including Klinikum rechts der Isar. We are incorporating as a GmbH in 2026 and planning a seed round in 2027.

WHY JOIN NOW

This is not a role where you inherit a finished software stack. You will join at a stage where core technical decisions still need to be made and where your work can directly shape the future product.

→ Full ownership of the software and AI stack, end to end

→ Real-world impact : your models will run with patient samples from hospital partners

→ IP co-creation : the AI approach is part of a pending patent claim

→ Founding team proximity : direct collaboration and strong influence on product,

technology and architecture

The salary is determined by the collective agreement for the public sector of the German federal states (TV-L), ranging from E13 (1) to E13 (2), depending on individual experience .

Tasks

WHAT YOU WILL SHAPE

AI Pipeline & image interpretation

→ Develop the computer vision and machine learning stack
→ Build approaches for colour normalisation, model selection and calibrated clinical outputs
→ Work on classification models for infection and species detection, as well as regression models for bacterial load and resistance
→ Design approaches that can handle mixed infections and quantitative outputs

Hardware-software interface

→ Define how software, imaging and hardware work together on our portable incubator device
→ Specify imaging requirements and the hardware-software interface
→ Ensure the full capture-to-result chain works reliably in lab and clinical environments

Regulatory-ready software architecture

→ Design software with medical device requirements in mind from the start
→ Support GDPR-compliant data handling, documented model performance and quality processes
→ Build towards readiness for IEC 62304, IVD requirements and the EU AI Act

Requirements

• Must-have: Python, Computer Vision, CNN / Deep Learning, Regression Analysis, Colour Normalisation, Mixed-class Modelling, C / C++, Min. Master's Degree
• Nice-to-have: Embedded Systems, IEC 62304 / EU AI Act, MedTech or Diagnostics exp., Research background, Medical / sensitive data exp.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take ownership
• Ability to translate ambiguous scientific and clinical challenges into robust technical systems
• Comfort with uncertainty - you help define the path, not just follow it
• Clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Send us your CV and a short intro of max. 300 words. No cover letter needed. We reply to every application .

1. Intro call (30 min): Short conversation with the People & Culture team: mutual intro, context, open questions.
2. Technical deep-dive: We go deep on your experience and walk through our current AI and software challenges together.
3. Working session in Munich: An in-person or extended session.
4. Final conversation: Role fit, ownership expectations, next steps and offer.