Summary
The Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery and the Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health at Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (m/f/d) in Surgical AI.
Positioned within the interdisciplinary “Surgical Artificial Intelligence” research group led by Dr. Fiona Kolbinger, this role is part of a 5-year research program funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The candidate will evaluate, benchmark, and optimize state-of-the-art AI models for surgical video understanding using one of the world’s largest prospective surgical video registries.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Position (m/f/d) – Surgical AI, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Germany
Designation
- Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate (m/f/d)
- Pay Scale: TV-L Pay Grade E13
Overview at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
| Employer | Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus / TU Dresden |
| Department | Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery & Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health |
| Requisition ID | 2050 |
| Position Type | Full-time or Part-time (Temporary, 24 months with extension option) |
| Anticipated Start Date | October 01, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | August 30, 2026 |
| Remuneration | TV-L E13 + annual bonus |
| Location | Dresden, Germany |
Research Area
- Surgical Artificial Intelligence & Computer Vision
- Vision-Language Models (VLMs) & LLMs for Surgical Video Analysis
- Human-AI Interaction in Surgery
- Translational Surgical Oncology & Clinical Research
Location
- Dresden, Germany (University Medicine Dresden)
Eligibility / Qualification
- Education: Doctoral degree (PhD) in Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Technical Expertise: Strong background in computer vision, LLMs/VLMs, data science, human-AI interaction, and an interest in clinical surgery and translational research.
- Skills & Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage research projects and mentor junior researchers.
- Strong collaborative mindset with clear communication skills.
- Language: Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken). Knowledge of or willingness to learn German is a plus.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
- Research Leadership: Design and lead research projects on AI for surgical video understanding, including vision-language model benchmarking, clinical translation (feasibility studies and randomized controlled trials), and human-AI interaction.
- Collaboration: Work closely with national and international academic and clinical partners.
- Mentorship: Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate student researchers within the group.
- Scientific Dissemination: Prepare high-impact journal publications, present at international conferences, and contribute to scientific grant writing.
What is Offered
- Work Environment: Modern interdisciplinary research environment with direct access to extensive clinical data and surgical expertise.
- Work-Life Balance: 30 days of paid vacation, flexible working hours, and options for partial work-from-home arrangements.
- Benefits: Public sector pension scheme, job ticket subsidy, health and fitness programs (Carus Vital), corporate discounts, and family office support for childcare/eldercare.
How to Apply
- Online Application: Applicants are encouraged to apply via the UKDD Online Application Portal.
- Contact for Scientific Queries: Dr. Fiona Kolbinger (
fiona.kolbinger@tu-dresden.de) - HR Contact: Antonia Schulz (Tel: 0351-458 77306)
- Health Requirement: Proof of measles vaccination (medical certificate) in accordance with the Infection Protection Act is required prior to starting work.
Last Date to Apply
- August 30, 2026
