AI in the Hiring Process at Helmholtz Munich
We view Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool —both for our work and for you. Below, we provide a transparent overview of how we use AI in the hiring process. We also offer guidance on how you can use AI appropriately during the application process.
In a nutshell
✅ We use AI to improve content and processes.
✅ Your data will not be used to train AI.
✅ At Helmholtz Munich, AI does not make hiring decisions.
✅ People are always the ones who decide on your application.
How does Helmholtz Munich use AI in the hiring process?
We use AI to create job descriptions, develop interview questions, draft and refine candidate communications, and optimize our career website. We do not use your data to train AI or allow AI to make hiring decisions. Responsibility for all content and hiring decisions remains with Helmholtz Munich employees.
On our website and in our job advertisements, we use icons recommended by the Helmholtz Association to indicate how AI was used.
How can you use AI during the application process?
Using AI wisely can help you articulate your experiences more clearly, organize your materials, and prepare specifically for interviews. AI should support your own ideas, not replace them.
When applying (resume and application questions)
When applying (resume and application questions)
Please write your first version yourself so we can understand your real experience, skills, and perspective. You may then use AI to refine the wording and make your application clearer and more polished.
- Example prompt: “Please review my resume and the job description. Which experiences should I highlight in my application responses to best match the job requirements?”
Remember not to use any personal information when using AI. Anonymize your resume or similar documents.
During take-home assessments
During take-home assessments
Please complete take-home assessments without AI unless we explicitly state otherwise. This allows us to understand your own skills, strengths, and approach. If AI is permitted for a specific task, we will say so clearly, for example: “You may use AI for this coding challenge.” This ensures that all applicants are evaluated under comparable conditions.
Preparing for interviews
Preparing for interviews
You may use AI to prepare for your interview, for example to learn more about Helmholtz Munich, practice answers, and develop thoughtful questions for us.
- Example prompt: “Create a study guide for interviewing for this job. Outline key topics I should review, including Helmholtz Munich's research focus, and typical technical or behavioral questions I might encounter.”
During live interviews
During live interviews
Why these guidelines?
Why these guidelines?
We look forward to meeting you, learning more about your experiences, and understanding how you approach challenges. AI can help you prepare, but above all, we want to get to know you.
Regardless of which role you’re applying for, we expect you to:
- Use AI thoughtfully. We encourage you to use AI to strengthen your application and prepare for interviews; think of AI as your collaborator in showcasing your authentic story.
- Be yourself. Use AI to refine your ideas, not replace them. We want to see your actual experience and how you think—not AI-generated responses.
- Be transparent. On this webpage, we are transparent about the ways that we use AI in our hiring process. We expect the same transparency from you in following this guidance.
AI helped shape this guidance, but every recommendation was reviewed and approved by a human.
As AI capabilities continue to develop, we will regularly revisit and update this guidance to ensure it remains accurate, relevant, and trustworthy. (Last updated August 07, 2026)
