Advance your own research with data science, learn from leading data scientists and exchange ideas across disciplines - this is possible at the Helmholtz School for Data Science in Life, Earth and Energy (HDS-LEE) in the North Rhine-Westphalian ABCDJ triangle (Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf-Jülich).
HDS-LEE in the Rhineland
HDS-LEE is an international, English-speaking graduate school in the ABCDJ (Aachen-Bonn/Cologne-Düsseldorf-Jülich) triangle of North-Rhine-Westphalia as a cooperation between
- RWTH Aachen University and
- its University Hospital,
- the University of Cologne,
- the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- and Forschungszentrum Jülich
All doctoral projects funded through HDS-LEE are co-funded by Forschungszentrum Jülich.
HDS-LEE is part of the JARA Center for Simulation and Data Sciences (JARA-CSD), Germany’s leading competence center for computing and data infrastructures, user support, and cutting-edge research in simulation, data analysis, and high-performance computing (HPC).
JARA represents a unique partnership between Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University, combining the strengths of a major Helmholtz research center with a top-tier technical university and enjoying strong international visibility.
Within JARA-CSD, the School for Simulation and Data Sciences (SSD) focuses on the training and development of doctoral researchers. SSD brings together leading experts from university and research institutions and enables truly interdisciplinary supervision of its graduate students.
HDS-LEE doctoral researchers further benefit from the internationally recognized regional graduate schools IRTG-2379 “Hierarchical and Hybrid Approaches in Modern Inverse Problems” and AICES, which have been merged under the umbrella of JARA-CSD.
As part of the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA), HDS-LEE offers its students access to a wide range of attractive courses, events, exchange programs, and symposia across the other HIDA graduate schools — providing an exceptional, interconnected training environment in data and computational science.
More about the research at HDS-LEE
Reports on HDS-LEE
You can find out more about research at HDS-LEE and its doctoral students on the following pages:
HDS-LEE alumnus Leonardo Rydin Gorjão has been researching how we can ensure a constant power supply if we only get it from renewable energy sources - using data science methods. HIDA's exchange programs have enabled him to spend time at various Helmholtz centers and to network closely within the community.
Laura Helleckes gives insights of her project and being scientist in HDS-LEE. How does she benefit from the diversity of the disciplines in HDS-LEE?
Scientists at HDS-LEE have recently acquired three new large-scale AI projects. This means: new PhD researchers at the School, an even stronger network of partner institutions and, of course, many cutting-edge data science subjects to work on.
English is becoming the de-facto standard for an educated life. As a non-native speaker, you may support this development. But will new technology stop the rise of English? Read more about Danimir Doncevic's thoughts on this topic in his blog post.
What hurricanes and nasal breathing have in common
Mario Rüttgers uses Data Science methods to reveal the small hurricanes that occur in the nose when we inhale. He wants to help make future nose surgery more successful - and thus make it easier for patients to breathe.
Christian Gerloff completed his degree in electrical engineering. Now, he’s tracking down signals from one of the most mysterious and complex systems in existence. As a doctoral candidate at the HDS-LEE graduate school, Gerloff conducts research that unravels more hidden secrets of the human brain—thanks to data science methods.
Our Mission
HDS-LEE aims to educate and train the next generation of data scientists in close contact to domain-specific knowledge and research in three application domains:
- Life and medical science: Systems medicine, Neuroscience, Computational biomedicine, Systems biotechnology, Bioinformatics
- Earth science: Terrestrial systems, Geofluiddynamics, Atmospheric composition
- Energy systems and material science: Design and operation of energy and chemical systems, Systems analysis and technology evaluation, Quantum theory of materials, Microstructure physics and alloy design
We are looking for talented graduates in mathematics, computer science, physics, material science, earth science, life science and engineering from all over the world who are eager to work at the interface between domain-related research and data science. The doctoral researchers at HDS-LEE want to advance the development of Data Science methods as well as use state-of-the-art technologies of artificial intelligence and machine learning to solve challenging scientific problems.
I joined the HDS-LEE program because I am excited to expand my understanding of data science. I also value the exchange with fellow researchers from different fields in HDS-LEE to share ideas and experiences.
Johanna Menn (doctoral researcher)
researching safe Learning for Automotive Control at the RWTH Aachen University.
Scientific Curriculum
In the HDS-LEE, doctoral researchers are trained in all essential elements of information and data science, as well as in communication and other key qualifications. The training components of the program are strengthened by individually tailored training measures. An integral part of HDS-LEE is the curriculum of joint activities that comprises of:
- Lectures on Data Science, Methods and Applications
- Courses for scientific education, including training days at the Jülich Supercomputing Center (JSC) on topics such as parallel computing, machine learning and visualization
- Transferable skill courses at the Forschungszentrum Jülich: Scientific Writing, Academic Presentation, Good Scientific Practice and Management of a Doctoral Project
- Annual retreat
- Participation in (international) conferences
- Personal competence training and comprehensive support measures for networking and career development
HDS-LEE doctoral researchers are closely supervised by their thesis advisory committee. Such a committee is comprised of the two PIs who have initiated the doctoral project and a scientific co-advisor. Doctoral researchers will be hosted by one or both of their PIs' institutes to foster close collaboration and active exchange with the respective research groups.
Funding and Duration of the Program
The doctoral researcher position is offered for three years, with the possibility to extend for a fourth year. The position follows the salary level of pay group 13 according to the German public sector agreements (TVöD/TV-L), which also include social security and health insurance benefits.
Application and Further Information
A total of 20 doctoral positions are directly financed by HDS-LEE and the Forschungszentrum Jülich. In addition, interested Data Science doctoral researches can join the program as associated doctoral researchers, preferably from the HDS-LEE locations Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Jülich. The program starts every three to four years, the next call phase starts at the end of 2025. The program language is English.
Applicants must have adequate knowledge of computer science in general, as HDS-LEE does not offer training in computer science basics such as programming. English language skills are also required.
Are you interested in becoming part of the HDS-LEE? Take a look at our guide for admission and our open positions.
"... by participating in HDS-LEE’s interdisciplinary mentoring program, I aim to learn and exchange ideas with leading data scientists across diverse fields..."
Ignasi Bofarull, doctoral researcher
Dr. Anne Bulling
Scientific Coordinator HDS-LEE
Dr. Anne Bulling
Dr. Sarah Mertens
Scientific Coordinator HDS-LEE
Dr. Sarah Mertens
