PhD position in Statistical Machine Learning for Self-Driving Microscopy

17 Dec 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Berne, Institute of Cell Biology

Department

Biology

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Country

Switzerland

Application Deadline

20 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Mar 2026

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

Offer Description

Joint position – Pertz Lab (Institute of Cell Biology ) & Ginsbourger Group (Institute of Mathematical Statistics & Actuarial Science )
We are recruiting a highly motivated PhD student to join a fully collaborative doctoral project at the interface of machine learning, statistics, and live-cell biology.
The position is co-supervised by Prof. Olivier Pertz (Cell Biology) and Prof. David Ginsbourger (Statistics), and the student will be equally embedded in both research environments.

Where to apply

E-mail

olivier.pertz@unibe.ch

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Solid skills in statistical modeling & probability theory
• Experience in coding (Python, R, Julia, Matlab...)
• Motivation to work closely with experimental researchers
• Curiosity about biological systems - no prior wet-lab experience needed!

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Benefits

This project provides a rare opportunity to see mathematical models come alive, guiding experiments as they happen.
Teaching: The position includes a small teaching duty in Statistics → includes enhanced salary compared to standard PhD funding in Switzerland.
Why choosing Bern?
 

• Top-ranked Swiss research university
• International community, high quality of life
• Easy access to Europe
• Outstanding support for early-career researchers

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Additional comments

Project Overview

Cells sense, integrate, and respond to dynamic stimuli through complex signaling networks. The Pertz Lab has developed powerful optogenetic tools and fluorescent biosensors that allow direct perturbation and measurement of these networks using light. Together with the Ginsbourger Group, we aim to create
autonomous “self-driving” microscopes that:
 

• build statistical models of biological dynamics in real time
• predict the most informative next experiment
• execute it automatically on living cells

Key methods will include:
 

• Gaussian Processes (heteroscedastic & multivariate)
• Operator-valued and deep kernels
• Active Bayesian experimental design
• Physics-informed neural networks
• Closed-loop control of biological systems

This project provides a rare opportunity to see mathematical models come alive, guiding experiments as they happen.
Teaching: The position includes a small teaching duty in Statistics → includes enhanced salary compared to standard PhD funding in Switzerland.

Website for additional job details

https://www.izb.unibe.ch/about_us/open_positions/index_eng.html

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Cell Biology

Country

Switzerland

City

Bern

Postal Code

3012

Street

Baltzerstrasse 4

Geofield

Contact

City

Bern

Website

https://www.izb.unibe.ch/

Street

Baltzerstrasse 4

Postal Code

3012

E-Mail

david.ginsbourger@unibe.ch
olivier.pertz@unibe.ch

STATUS: EXPIRED

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