Postdoctoral Fellow in Origins of Life and Data Science

The Excellence Cluster ORIGINS invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Origins of Life and Data Science

to pursue research in the ORIGINS Data Science Laboratory (ODSL). The Excellence Cluster ‘ORIGINS: From the Origins of the Universe to the first Building Blocks of Life’ ( cluster.de) started its second phase in January 2026 and is funded within the framework of the Excellence Strategy of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The interdisciplinary research project is a cooperation of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) and the Technische Universität München (TUM) as well as the Max Planck Institutes for Astrophysics (MPA), Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), Physics (MPP), Plasma Physics (IPP), and Biochemistry (MPIB), the European Southern Observatory (ESO), and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ). The Excellence Cluster ORIGINS will study the evolution of the cosmos – from the inception of the Universe to the first building blocks of life.

The ODSL provides a hub within ORIGINS for the development and dissemination of novel analysis methods, algorithms, and computational tools to fully exploit high-dimensional, complex datasets. Focus points are novel machine-learning techniques, research on the application of differentiable and probabilistic programming methods in physics, as well as the development of data analysis and statistical (incl. Bayesian and simulation-based) inference tools for large-scale datasets. Additionally, the ODSL is engaged in the conceptualization and deployment of data science infrastructure for the next generation of data-intensive research projects in related experiments. Open Science approaches are a priority for ODSL. The ODSL is coordinated by Prof. Lukas Heinrich (Data Science, Particle Physics at TUM) and Prof. Daniel Gruen (Astrophysics, Cosmology, and AI at LMU). The establishment of this postdoctoral position is connected to Research Unit E, focussed on the question of how the atoms of the Universe have developed into prebiotic molecules and, finally, into life. Examples of past related data-intensive research projects include classifying synthetic cells based on microscopy images (Prof. Job Boekhoven), understanding patterns in RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry data (Prof. Dieter Braun), or unveiling connections in reaction kinetics from thousands of automated datasets (Prof. Robert Mayer).

The postdoctoral researcher will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers with a strong interest and appreciation for data science in physics, as an expert on applications of such techniques to questions on the origins of life. The position offers an approximately even mix of pursuing independent research and of identifying opportunities to collaborate with other researchers in ORIGINS. Part of your work will be preparing and teaching courses on data science for the ORIGINS community. The successful candidate will be selected in part based on the independent data science research they propose to pursue and the plans for nurturing data science expertise within ORIGINS. The formal requirement for the position is a PhD in a related field. Salary and benefits are commensurate with the pay scale of public service organizations (TV-L E13). The contract is initially limited to 2 years with the possibility of an extension.

The advancement of women in the sciences, especially in all areas of physics, is integral to the policy of the Excellence Cluster ORIGINS. We therefore especially encourage applications from women. Disabled persons will be given preference to other equally qualified applicants.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Daniel Gruen ([email protected]) and from the ORIGINS webpage (

Applicants should prepare a cover letter and the following documents: CV, publication list, and a 3-page statement of research interests and plans, including specific collaborations with ORIGINS researchers you would be excited about. Please apply by filling this application form and uploading a single PDF with your collected documents to this cloud folder. We will begin reviewing applications after March 12, 2026, and continue to receive and consider them until the position is filled.