Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) in Causal Inference & Health

HPI is recognized as one of the leading university institutes for computer science (www.hpi.de). Our goal is to strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty with excellent research and practice-oriented teaching in computer science. At HPI, we are convinced that excellence is created when knowledge from different disciplines is collaboratively combined to create responsible and pioneering solutions for the future.
In our research clusters "Systems," "Data and AI," "Foundations," "Digital Health," "Security," and "Business and Society" researchers from various disciplines work together on topics relevant to solving the challenges facing society. The Digital Engineering Faculty of the University of Potsdam and HPI offers a computer science engineering degree program that is unique in Germany.

In the course of its strong growth, the Hasso Plattner Institute is looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) in Causal Inference & Health

Economics: AI in Clinical Practice

​The position is temporary and full-time.

Project Background:

We are seeking a rigorous empirical researcher to study the deployment of clinical AI and other new health technologies. Using real-world data and causal inference methods, this work will shed light on how and why AI is changing the composition and quality of healthcare delivery at scale and in practice. 

For a new set of projects evaluating AI and algorithms in healthcare, a 2-year, fully funded postdoctoral position is available.

A nascent but growing body of research is already evaluating the impact of technology-enabled healthcare delivery models on the utilization of healthcare products and services, as well as on clinical outcomes. However, much remains to be learned about the large-scale deployments of AI tools for clinical decision support. The initial suite of projects will evaluate the first enterprise-level deployment of an AI-based clinical decision support tool in one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States, as well as complementary projects that support the development and evaluation of new medical algorithms.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will have the opportunity to contribute to all aspects of the joint projects and co-determine the scope and nature of follow-on research. You will be able (and expected) to spend some time with research partners at the Windreich Department of AI and Human Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, USA, and at the Healthy ML group at MIT, where existing collaborations are in place. As a postdoctoral researcher you will serve as an interdisciplinary team member and bridge between the applied economics, clinical research, and Computer Science teams, based in Potsdam, New York, NY, and Cambridge, MA, respectively.

Your future tasks

• Interdisciplinary research as part of a set of multi-year projects, including:

○ Supporting the data science and health economic/econometric aspects of the project under the mentorship of the HPI Principal Investigator, Prof. Ariel Dora Stern

○ Design of future evaluations and technology adoption studies

○ Supporting the design, coordination, and conduct of additional social science research, such as surveys and RCTs

• Participate in research group activities of the HPI’s Digital Health Cluster (including the annual retreat, joint seminars, and meetings of the HPI Research School) and activities at the Chair for Digital Health, Economics, and Policy


• Support the teaching and supervision activities of the Chair for Digital Health, Economics, and Policy, including advising masters theses related to your research topics


• Conduct one or more extended research stay(s) in New York City (NY) and Cambridge (MA)


• Annual participation in Partnership workshops in Cambridge (March), New York (May), and Potsdam (October) of each year as well as coordination responsibilities between research sites and overall project management

Your skills

• A doctoral degree in economics, statistics, epidemiology, digital healthor a related field, with a strong record of first-authored empirical work (publications or working papers in peer-reviewed outlets) and programming experience in R and/or Python


• Enthusiasm for understanding AI in healthcare, digital health, new healthcare delivery modalities, and interdisciplinary research


• Hands-on experience with causal inference methods (e.g., matching models, difference-in-differences, IV, RDD, or RCTs) and comfort working with large administrative or EHR/claims datasets; prior experience with hospital or real-world data is a strong plus


• An independent working style, both analytical and operational


• Excellent research and communication skills in English; some knowledge of German may be helpful for the local work environment, but is not required

What we offer

• A dynamic research environment, excellent mentorship, and an interdisciplinary team at the Chair for Digital Health, Economics, and Policy


• A collaborative culture, celebrated through regular team events and developmental workshops


• A modern, well-connected workspace located at the HPI campus in Potsdam-Babelsberg, with swift access to Berlin


• Flexible working hours, including the possibility of partial remote work


• Funded extended research stays in New York City (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) and Cambridge, MA (MIT Healthy ML group), with annual partnership workshops at all three sites


• Attractive employee offers via corporate benefits (e.g., employer transportation subsidy, drinks and fresh fruit in the office, discounted on-campus lunches)


• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience

We will evaluate applications as they are submitted and begin conducting interviews immediately. The ideal start date would be on or around September 1, 2026. Please apply by sending a cover letter, describing your background and motivation for the job, a resume, or CV, and an optional writing sample ASAP, but no later than July 31 via our website.

We kindly ask for your understanding that email applications or résumés sent via email for preliminary review will not be considered.

The HPI’s Digital Health Cluster (DHC):
The DHC is an interdisciplinary research cluster at HPI dedicated to advancing digital health through patient-centered, data-driven research. It brings together expertise in medicine, public health, and digital technologies to improve individual and population health outcomes.

Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI): 
The HPI is Germany’s center of excellence for digital engineering (www.hpi.de). Its research earns international recognition, with a focus on the foundations and applications of large-scale IT systems. HPI and the University of Potsdam jointly operate the Digital Engineering Faculty, one of Germany’s leading centers in Computer Science. 

Contact person HR-Recruiting

Nicola Mertens 

[email protected]

Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Digital Engineering gGmbH

Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3

14482 Potsdam