City: Erlangen | Hybrid

 

Research Associate (all genders) – Large Language Models

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 75 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany and is the world’s leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, located in Erlangen, is the largest institute of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with more than 1 200 employees.

 

Welcome to the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, headquartered in Erlangen! As the largest institute within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, we have been conducting research for over 30 years in diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, sensor systems, data acquisition, signal processing, and signal transmission. Talented individuals from various engineering and natural science disciplines will find a wide range of exciting research topics under one roof. A few highlights that reflect our innovative strength include neuromorphic computing, 5G/6G mobile communication technologies, generative AI in speech and signal processing, and X-ray imaging for e-mobility. And that’s just the beginning! What sustainable solution will you find with us?

 

Are you passionate about the capabilities and potential of large language models?

 

Join us in shaping the exciting world of conversational AI.

Here's how you will make a difference

For over 30 years, the institute’s Audio and Media Technologies division has been shaping the globally deployed standards and technologies in the fields of audio and moving picture production. Almost all consumer electronic devices, computers and mobile phones are equipped with systems and technologies from Erlangen today.

 

As a member of the natural language processing team, your work will involve 

• Training and Refinement of LLMs: You contribute to the training and optimization of large language models.
• Development of Innovative Methods for Model Enhancement: You develop advanced techniques in areas such as preference optimization, model distillation, parameter -efficient fine-tuning as well as multimodal extensions of LLMs.
• Promotion of Creative Business Solutions Across Various Areas: You drive innovative enterprise solutions across a wide range of tasks and domains.
• Engagement and Collaboration with Project Partners and Stakeholders: You communicate and coordinate activities with project partners and both internal and external stakeholders.

What you bring to the table

• A degree preferably with a PhD or 3+ years of professional experience in computer science, computational linguistics, or in a related discipline.
• Strong foundation in machine learning and modern neural network architectures.
• Solution-oriented thinking and collaborative mindset.
• Practical experience with common machine learning frameworks for training LLMs.
• Proficiency in Python development.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

What you can expect

• Our inspiring culture: We want our colleagues to feel comfortable. Therefore, we constantly strive to ensure a friendly and supportive working atmosphere within our international team.
• Exciting projects: We provide exciting ventures and new experiences in highly innovative key industries.
• Room for creativity: We want to give our colleagues a generous amount of creative freedom so that they can contribute and develop their own ideas.
• Career development: With top-of-the-range company equipment and regular training, we aim to provide the best possible working conditions and continuing education opportunities for our colleagues.
• Flexible working hours: We make it easy for our colleagues to find a comfortable balance between their private and professional lives.

 

The position is initially limited to 2 years with the aim to extend it subsequently. The weekly working time is 39 hours.

 

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. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD).

 

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. 

 

Ready for Change? Then apply now and make the difference.

Do you have questions about the application process? Our recruiter Claudia Kestler-Böhm will be happy to assist you: +49 9131 776-1654.

 

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en