Research Scientist — AI Earth Observation

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Final date to receive applications 19 Jan 2038 - 03:14 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

In this position, you will be an active member of our "Simulation and Data Lab for AI and Machine Learning in Remote Sensing", which aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research by bridging satellite remote sensing applications with large‑scale AI, high‑performance, and innovative computing. Within national and European projects, you will collaborate with our partners and drive the development of cutting‑edge applications of foundation models for Earth observation on the JUPITER AI Factory (JAIF).

As the only AI Factory with an exascale supercomputer, JAIF offers unique opportunities for training and deploying AI models in Europe. Specifically, you will:

• Design, optimise, and operate inference and fine‑tuning workflows for foundation models in EO
• Implement models on JAIF’s infrastructure and build reliable, reproducible data flows for large EO datasets and workflows
• Lead performance engineering (parallelisation, optimisation, benchmarking) for adaptation and inference at scale
• Work closely with industry partners and public agencies; provide expert user support for JAIF
• Publish in peer‑reviewed venues and present results at scientific meetings
• Contribute to educational activities (courses, hackathons, community events)

• Excellent Master or subsequent PhD degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or similar fields and industry experience
• Strong software‑engineering fundamentals and hands‑on experience with HPC systems; parallel/distributed programming and/or solid UNIX skills
• Proven experience operating Machine Learning (ML) in production. Able to design, automate, and maintain end‑to‑end ML life cycles, including reproducible training/fine‑tuning runs and experiment tracking
• Evidence of impact through publications and/or open‑source contributions
• Self‑motivated personality with a curiosity for working in a multidisciplinary team environment on scientifically challenging problems
• Very good command of written and spoken English is required to facilitate clear and effective communication within our global research environment

• INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY:
  Work on frontiers of scientific and technological challenges with access to cutting‑edge and unique supercomputing systems including Quantum Computers and JUPITER, the first Exascale computer in Europe
• KNOWLEDGE & FURTHER TRAINING:
  Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support
• WORK‑LIFE BALANCE:
  The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on‑site) appointments
• FLEXIBILITY:
  Flexible working time models, including options close to full‑time (  ), allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
• LEAVE:
  You will receive 30 days of leave plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year’s Day)
• FAIR REMUNERATION:
  Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD‑Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD‑Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website:  The monthly salaries in euros can be found here:
• FIXED‑TERM:
  The position is limited to 2 years
• SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES:
  Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realise their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities:  and on specific support options:

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.