Senior AI Scientist – Live-Cell Imaging & Bioimage AI

About PHIO

PHIO, located in Munich, is a life science technology firm pioneering advanced imaging and analysis for non-invasive live cell monitoring inside incubators. By integrating proprietary lensfree imaging technology with cutting-edge hardware, software, and AI-driven analytics, PHIO supports researchers and life science companies in accurately tracking living cells, quantifying biological events, and extracting actionable insights from intricate cell models.

Role Overview

The Senior AI Scientist specializing in computer vision and life science AI will lead enhancements in PHIO's AI capabilities focused on biological image interpretation. This role merges applied AI research, computer vision, and machine learning targeting live cell imaging, cell morphology assessments, organoid evaluations, and complex multimodal biological datasets.

The selected candidate will work with diverse data sources including raw and reconstructed lensfree and holographic PHIO imagery, classical microscopy visuals, biological ground truths, temporal datasets, and assay-related metadata. The goal is to develop AI methods that convert intricate cellular imaging data into reliable, interpretable, and product-appropriate insights. This position offers significant technical autonomy and influence over PHIO’s AI strategic direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and advise on PHIO’s AI strategy, pinpointing impactful AI applications in biological and multimodal life science image analysis.
• Transform complex scientific and biological challenges into machine learning solutions aligned with validation and product integration.
• Guide strategic choices concerning data management, model development, evaluation methodologies, and future AI capabilities advancement.
• Design, train, and appraise computer vision and machine learning models tailored for biological image analysis.
• Implement modern deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow.
• Investigate multimodal AI approaches, utilize synthetic data and augmentation techniques, and ensure model robustness and generalization.
• Construct reproducible machine learning experiments, data pipelines, and evaluation processes.
• Create well-documented research prototypes suitable for validation and smooth handover to product development teams.
• Collaborate closely across various disciplines including biology, software, hardware, product teams, and leadership.
• Participate in authoring technical documentation, sharing knowledge, and customer or scientific collaborations where applicable.

Candidate Profile

• PhD in machine learning, computer vision, bioinformatics, computational biology, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related quantitative fields with minimum two years’ relevant postdoctoral or industrial experience; or MSc with over five years of extensive industry experience in applied machine learning focused on biological image analysis and life sciences AI.
• In-depth expertise in image-based machine learning, including substantial hands-on experience with complex datasets in biological, biomedical, or scientific domains.
• Proficient in Python programming and experienced with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Capability to independently define scientific problems and develop practical, testable AI solutions.
• Proven experience in taking technical ownership of AI projects, including experimental design, evaluation metric determination, model review, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-driven and hands-on approach with the enthusiasm to directly engage with data, coding, modeling, and experimentation.
• Organized, pragmatic, and scientifically disciplined work style emphasizing robust and well-documented prototype development.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguous biological questions, incomplete datasets, and shifting priorities typical of a startup setting.
• Effective communicator capable of collaborating across AI, biology, software engineering, product, and leadership teams.

What We Provide

• Opportunity to contribute significantly to PHIO’s AI development roadmap and influence team structures and future AI standards.
• Involvement in building AI methods for novel, non-invasive incubator-based live cell analytics from early innovation stages.
• Access to unique biological imaging data types including lensfree, holographic imaging, live-cell time series, organoid models, microscopy images, and multimodal assay datasets.
• A collaborative interdisciplinary environment encompassing AI, biology, software engineering, hardware, product management, and leadership.
• Autonomy to own technical AI initiatives and convert applied research into reliable, product-ready prototypes.
• Full-time role primarily based in Munich region with hybrid flexibility depending on mutual agreement and project requirements.

Application Process

• Submit your current CV highlighting relevant work and technical contributions.
• Include evidence of relevant projects such as links to GitHub repositories, Google Scholar profiles, portfolios, publication lists, or a brief summary of a project you value highly.
• No formal cover letter is required; instead, provide 2–3 sentences explaining your enthusiasm for advancing AI in live cell imaging at PHIO.