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Faculty of Computer Science :
Chair of Database Systems
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%;) May 1st , 2026, we are looking for 1
Researcher (m/f/d) – AI-Enhanced Streaming Data Systems
The Database Systems Chair at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) is establishing a new research group focusing on learned and AI-enhanced counterparts for streaming data systems, including multimodal streaming workloads. We are seeking motivated researchers (m/f/d) to explore learning-based methods that augment or replace classical components in modern stream processing engines, with a strong focus on practical systems research.
Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 36 months
Start: May 1st , 2026
Apply by: 2026-03-09
Your tasks:
- Your responsibilities include:
- Research on learned components for streaming data systems, such as
- learned cost, latency, and throughput models for continuous and multimodal queries,
- learning-based scheduling, parallelism, and resource allocation for streaming operators, and
- learned strategies for runtime adaptation under changing workloads.
- Exploring the use of machine learning and, where appropriate, large language models (LLMs) to support system optimization, configuration, or semantic processing in streaming pipelines.
- Integrating learned components into existing streaming architectures and evaluating them alongside classical mechanisms.
- Designing and implementing experimental prototypes and system extensions.
- Conducting experimental evaluations on realistic streaming and multimodal workloads.
- Publishing research results in leading international data management and systems venues such as SIGMOD, VLDB, EDBT, ICDE or AI conferences such as NeurIPS, AAAI, ICML, ICLR.
- Presenting research results through talks, demonstrations, and scientific publications.
- Opportunity to contribute to teaching activities of the Database Systems Chair.
Your profile:
We welcome applications from candidates with a systems background and an interest in learning-based approaches.
- An excellent university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in computer science or a closely related field.
- Basic knowledge or practical experience in database systems, stream processing, or distributed systems.
- Interest in learning-based techniques for system optimization and performance modeling; prior ML experience is helpful but not mandatory.
- Programming experience in Python or similar languages; experience with Linux-based development environments is beneficial.
- Experience with streaming systems, multimodal data, or large language models (LLMs) is a plus, but not a prerequisite.
- Publications in leading conferences in the field of Data Management (SIGMOD, VLDB, ICDE, EDBT (having a publication is a plus, but it's optional)
- Motivation to work on systems research and to learn new techniques as part of a collaborative research group.
- Very good command of English; knowledge of German is not required.
We offer:
- The opportunity to join and help shape a new research group at Ruhr-Universität Bochum focusing on AI-enhanced streaming and multimodal data systems.
- The opportunity to join one of the largest universities in Germany, embedded in the University Alliance Ruhr.
- An international research environment with strong connections to leading academic and industrial partners.
- An excellent environment for pursuing a Ph.D. or gaining research experience in data systems.
- Close integration into the Faculty of Computer Science and the broader database and systems research landscape at RUB.
- Flexible working conditions, including options for mobile work.
- Support for professional development, mentoring, and training.
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E 13 TV-L TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
The load of teaching will be calculated according to § 3 of Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung (state of North Rhine-Westphalia).
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Dipl.-Ing. Biljana Cubaleska +49 234 32 19290
Prof. Dr. Manisha Luthra Agnihotri
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-03-09. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5379.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
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