Researcher - AI-Enhanced Streaming Data Systems

• 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., 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.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (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).

We look forward to receiving your application, including: * Cover letter * CV * Latest transcript of records (both master and bachelor) * Degree (Bachelor and master, if available) * Statement of research interest (optional) Please submit your application documents electronically, stating your earliest possible starting date.

Do you have experience in Research?, Do you have a Master's degree?, * 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.

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) 01.05.2026, we are looking for 1, * 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.

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.