The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany and is the world’s leading applied research organization. Around 30 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 2.9 billion euros. 

Fraunhofer is one of Europe‘s largest and most well-known non-profit research organizations. Fraunhofer’s mission is to bridge academia and industry via translational research. Fraunhofer has been awarded as top employer in the categories „research“ and „public sector“ in 2019. The Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI) is part of the Fraunhofer Society, focuses on the development of innovative approaches in computational sciences and brings them into industrial practice. The institute has currently around 180 employees.

Fraunhofer SCAI is looking to employ a Knowledge Graph Scientist (m/f/d) to join the Applied Semantics group. The Applied Semantics group within the Department of Bioinformatics is dedicated to the development and application of semantic technologies in the field of biomedicine, with a strong focus on Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric diseases. The work of the Applied Semantics group covers a value chain ranging from building and validating semantic technologies in text-mining applications, for the construction of indication-specific knowledge graphs, and the interoperability and harmonization of data. The overall approach includes the development of algorithms that enable interoperability of data and knowledge representations. As a knowledge graph researcher, you will be involved mainly in developing and applying algorithms on knowledge graphs for various biological use-cases (patient stratification, drug repurposing etc.). The team and the entire Department of Bioinformatics are internationally well connected and are working closely with leading European and US institutions from academia and industry.

• Development, validation, and integration of biomedical knowledge graphs.
• Developing and applying algorithms (AI/ML based graph algorithms) on knowledge graphs for various biological use-cases (patient stratification, drug repurposing etc.).
• Designing, development and maintenance of APIs, as well as product and add-on components.
• Community outreach, publishing the scientific work, joint development of knowledge graphs with other scientific groups.

• You hold a Master’s/PhD in bioinformatics, computer science or a related field, with experience in knowledge graphs, and data management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential to collaboratively develop knowledge graphs together with the scientific community during workshops and discussions.
• In-depth experience with using, building, and maintaining or refining domain knowledge graphs and representations, with an application focus.
• Ample experience in a scripting language (e.g. python) for querying of REST interfaces and conversion of various data formats
• Experience with graph databases (eg; Neo4j, OrientDB) is a must.
• Familiarity with use of database systems and their querying, with specific experience with graph databases and formats.
• Able to integrate multiple data sources and databases into one system
• In depth knowledge about the (knowledge-) graphs in machine learning and how to implement ML models.
• Good to have knowledge in:
  • Front-end languages and libraries- JavaScript, JQuery, Bootstrap.
  • Relational database management systems such as MySQL and PostgreSQL
  • Experience with cloud message APIs and usage of push notifications is a plus.
  • Excellent knowledge of code versioning tools (i.e., Git).
  • Experience with code reviews, writing technical specifications, experiences with containerization ie docker, k8s etc. and collaborating closely with other people.
• Ability to work in a team (consisting of biologists, bioinformaticians, clinicians and programmers) and collaborate in international projects with industrial and academic partners.
• Experience in configuring and maintaining operating systems (Linux, Windows, Mac) with an emphasis on Linux servers for production, preferably Ubuntu.
• Excellence in agile development practices, fast prototyping, continuous integration and deployment.

• Versatile projects with a high level of practical relevance. You work at the intersection of research and industry and can actively help to design the future!
• Challenging tasks with responsibility and a lot of creative space in an international and interdisciplinary working environment.
• You will work with state-of-the-art software and can look forward to an excellent IT infrastructure.
• Flat hierarchies, a cooperative management style and highly motivated colleagues. With us, you will be actively involved in team and project work from the very beginning.
• With comprehensive and targeted qualification measures, we promote your individual further development and open up a wide range of career opportunities for you.
• Work-life balance through flexible working hours (flexitime) and part-time models, possibility to work partly from home office.
• We are family-friendly: Sometimes family comes first - we know that. We offer support services for balancing family and career, company health promotion, and much more.

The position is initially limited to 2 years, with the possibility of extension.

The weekly working time is 39 hours. The position can also be filled on a part-time basis. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal qualifications and suitability. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD). Additionally Fraunhofer may grant performance-based variable remuneration components.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!