CAPNETZ CLINICAL DATA SCIENTIST PROGRAM 2026-2027
CAPNETZ ACADEMY: CAP is a common complication of pandemic respiratory infections and one of the most frequent infectious causes of severe morbidity and mortality. To respond to emerging health crises and maintain a sustainable, research-oriented healthcare ecosystem, it is essential to train highly qualified young professionals in clinical and biomedical research on CAP. In alignment with the initiatives of several respiratory and infectious disease academies in Germany, whose efforts it closely supports and collaborates with, the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG established the CAPNETZ ACADEMY. Its central program, the Clinician Scientist Program, aims to train the next generation of specialists who possess both clinical and experimental research expertise in the field of respiratory infections, particularly CAP.
CAPNETZ Clinical Data Scientist Program: The CAPNETZ STIFTUNG is pleased to announce the launch of the CAPNETZ Clinical Data Scientist Program. This new initiative addresses the rapidly growing need for experts who can seamlessly connect clinical medicine with data science. In a healthcare environment increasingly shaped by data-driven insights, AI-supported analyses, and precision-medicine approaches, the program trains specialists to apply cutting-edge data science methods to complex medical questions. Participants will transform biomedical data into actionable clinical insights and contribute to shaping a more precise, personalized future in respiratory medicine.
This fellowship is aimed at highly motivated candidates with a degree in human medicine or a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics). Its objective is to develop or apply computational methods for the analysis, modeling, and management of biomedical data in patient care. Eligible projects may include the development of machine learning methods for healthcare, the integration of cohort datasets, or data-driven solutions that enhance clinical decision-making and optimize patient outcomes.
Where possible, CAPNETZ study datasets should be used to model, test, or validate algorithms and visualization tools that contribute to improved clinical management and translational research. Additional patient and/or biomedical datasets may also be used if they offer a clear added value — for example, through larger case numbers, additional variables, or specific patient cohorts.
Focus area: Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), respiratory diseases and long-term CAP sequalae.
Key benefits
- A unique opportunity to combine clinical training with data science skills and build an innovative profile for a future career in healthcare data science.
- Funding is also available for researchers from STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) and may be used in part to finance their own salary.
- Funding can be used by physicians at the beginning of their careers, for example, for protected research time (flexible, e.g., 50% research time), salaries, and/or consumables.
- Interdisciplinary supervision from members of the CAPNETZ Board and within the CAPNETZ network.
- Opportunity to collaborate with leading experts on a project focused on CAP / infectious diseases.
- Access to clinical data from the CAPNETZ study of more than 16,000 patients collected over the past two decades.
- Opportunity to develop independent research projects and publish scientific articles, which may lead to opportunities for postdoctoral qualifications, third-party funding, and long-term career perspectives in research and clinical practice.
- Opportunities to develop soft skills, apply for research funding, and network with other research academies/societies involved in lung and infectious disease research in Germany and beyond.
Funding and duration
- The funding volume is intended for one candidate (up to €50,000) this year.
- Fellowship contracts are awarded for a period of 12 months. Should clinical duties become necessary during the fellowship, the duration of the Clinical Data Scientist Program may be extended to up to 2 years. This provides flexibility for the fellows but must be justified in an informal request to the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG.
- An additional €5,000 may be requested to cover publication costs in open-access scientific journals.
- Fellowship agreements for early-career researchers are intended exclusively for academic research purposes. Part-time arrangements may be combined with existing contracts from other institutions or organizations.
Eligibility
- For applicants with a clinical degree
- At the start of the Clinical Data Scientist Program, applicants must have completed at least two years of specialist medical training, ideally in the fields of infectious diseases or pulmonology.
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (Dr. med., PhD, or an equivalent academic qualification).
- For applicants with other qualifications
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or a master’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics).
Other information
- The application must include a letter of recommendation from a mentor or senior scientist with proven expertise in data science or mathematical modeling, confirming their supervision for the entire funding period. In addition, close collaboration with a clinician in the field of CAP, respiratory diseases, or infectious diseases is recommended to ensure the potential for translational applications.
- Applicants must provide proof of an employment contract with the host institution for the full duration of the program or submit a corresponding letter of intent from the institution.
- The department or institute employing the funded candidate must provide written confirmation that the costs of the candidate’s clinical duties are covered during the funding period.
- Applicants should be partially released from clinical duties for the duration of the project so they can dedicate a defined percentage of their working time to research. This percentage is flexible but should amount to at least 20% of a full-time position over the one-year funding period. Confirmation from the clinic/department management and a cost calculation must be included with the application documents.
- The most recent university or state examination must have been completed no more than ten years before the application deadline. An extension of two years per child is permitted for applicants with one or more children under the age of 18.
- This program is available only to applicants from groups and clinical institutions in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
- Applicants returning from abroad and/or candidates who have a binding prospect of a position at a medical university in the DACH region at the time of application are also eligible.
- Applicants who have already completed their habilitation (or equivalent) are not eligible.
- Project proposals in which commercial companies have a direct economic interest are excluded from funding.
- Also excluded from funding are: application preparation costs, financial support for administrative assistance, buildings and facilities, general administrative costs, and the acquisition of equipment.
Application process and selection procedure:
Zeitplan für das Clinical Data Scientist Program
Preperation
12. January 2026 / 14:00
Virtual conference introducing CAPNETZ and the program
Step 1
9. February 2026
Submission of Preliminary application
science@capnetz.de
16. March 2026
Review by the CAPNETZ Board and the Selection Committee of the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG and notification of applicants regarding the decision.
Step 2
25. May 2026
Submission of the full application
science@capnetz.de
17. July 2026
Review of the full proposal by the CAPNETZ Board and the Selection Committee and final selection
Start of fellowship: August 2026
Step 1: Preparation and submission of the application
- The applicant selects the supervisor and develops the project idea and objectives.
- If needed, the CAPNETZ ACADEMY may be contacted with questions regarding the CAPNETZ data.
- The project proposal must be submitted to the CAPNETZ ACADEMY using a defined document and format.
- Applications that do not meet the published deadlines, are incomplete, or do not meet program eligibility requirements will be returned to the applicant without further review
- The CAPNETZ Board and the external Selection Committee assess the proposal based on feasibility, originality, expected scientific impact, and relevance to CAP, respiratory diseases, and/or infectious diseases.
- Applications must include all documents listed in the submission checklist.
Final submission deadline: 9. February 2026
Step 2: Submission of the full application
- Proposals selected in Step 1 of the selection process must submit a detailed full application using the attached document and format, including all relevant supporting documents and certificates.
- Applications that do not meet the published deadlines, are incomplete, or do not meet program eligibility requirements will be returned to the applicant without further review.
- If necessary, the application will be reassessed by the Selection Committee.
- These external comments will be discussed by the CAPNETZ Board to make the final decision on which project proposal will be funded.
- A funding plan will be submitted to the management of the CAPNETZ STIFTUNG
- Applicants will be informed promptly of the decision.
Final submission deadline: 25. May 2026
Contact person
Gopinath Krishnamoorthy, Grit Barten-Neiner
CAPNETZ STIFTUNG | Geschäftsstelle
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1
30625 Hannover
Email: science@capnetz.de
Website: www.capnetz.de
Submission Checklist
- Project description: concise and clear presentation of the
hypothesis, project plan, and funding plan. A template will be provided.
Please request it at: finance@capnetz.de - Curriculum vitae (without photo) with a list of scientific publications
- Identification of the supervisory committee (at least one
supervisor, optional independent mentor) and a one-page outline of a
long-term concept for achieving scientific independence - Approval of the application by the management of the receiving
institution, including confirmation of the applicant’s personal details
and confirmation of employment for the funding period (12–24 months) - If applicable (in case of an institutional change within the medical
faculty): statement from the receiving institution confirming that the
proposed project can be carried out and will be supported accordingly - If applicable: statement/confirmation of other financial resources
that have been applied for or will be used to cover project costs - Confirmation of admission / specialist medical training
- Copy of the employment contract
- Copy of the medical degree certificate
- Copy of the doctoral degree certificate (proof of dissertation completion is not sufficient)
Relevant only for Step 2:
- If applicable: proof of the required prerequisites for carrying out
the project (e.g., confirmation of submission or approval of the ethics
and/or animal experiment application, data protection consent,
cooperation agreements, etc.) - If applicable: approval letter for other ongoing third-party funded projects
- If applicable: explanation of career interruptions/delays