To strengthen our team in the division "Buildings and Structures” in Berlin-Steglitz, starting at the next possible date, we are looking for a

Research Assistant (m/f/d) in the field of mechanical engineering, materials science, or engineering

Salary group E 13 TVöD
Temporary contract until 31.03.2029
Full-time/suitable as part-time employment

The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is a materials research organization in Germany. Our mission is to ensure safety in technology and chemistry. We perform research and testing in materials science, materials engineering and chemistry to improve the safety of products and processes. At BAM we do research that matters. Our work covers a broad array of topics in the focus areas of energy, infrastructure, environment, materials, and chemistry and process engineering.

We are looking for talented people to join us.

Your responsibilities include:

• Digitization of real weld seam geometries, including point cloud processing and reverse engineering, to create CAD/CAE models suitable for simulation
• Analysis of digitized weld seam geometries with regard to notch geometry, stress concentrations, and relevant fatigue parameters
• Development and refinement of thermo-mechanical and structural-mechanical FE models for determining local stress and strain fields (including welding residual stresses)
• Performing fatigue and fracture mechanics simulations to determine crack initiation locations and crack growth behaviour
• Development, training, and validation of machine learning models, in particular physics-informed neural networks (PINNs)
• Development and automation of digital workflows for data evaluation and coupling of FE simulations and ML models
• Evaluation of the suitability of the developed methods for accurate fatigue life assessment of welded structures
• Presentation and publication of research results and participation in the supervision of young scientists

Your qualifications:

• Completed university degree (Master’s or Diplom) in mechanical engineering, materials science, or engineering sciences
• Experience with thermo-mechanical finite element simulations, ideally using ANSYS Mechanical APDL
• Experience with laser-based 3D scanning (e.g., Zeiss GOM) and processing of point cloud data for digital reconstruction of real geometries
• Strong Python programming skills for data preprocessing, numerical analysis, and machine-learning workflows
• Knowledge of machine learning methods; familiarity with physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) or willingness to acquire this expertise
• Understanding of fatigue and fracture mechanics of welded structures, ideally including experience with relevant standards or guidelines (e.g., BS 7910, IIW, or comparable)
• Interest in the structural behavior and fatigue challenges of offshore wind structures or willingness to gain expertise in this field
• Strong analytical and mathematical abilities, and a keen interest in interdisciplinary problem-solving in engineering research
• Very good English and German language skills
• Good communication and information behaviour, goal-oriented and structured way of working, initiative/commitment
• Ability to work in a team and willingness to cooperate, willingness to learn

We offer:

• Professional and interdisciplinary support through the BAM Graduate Academy, including skill-building and networking formats offered by the Menschen-Potentiale Qualification Programme
• Integration in the doctoral training network "Digitalization”
• Access to high-quality training and professional development opportunities on digitalization topics, including programming, research data management, AI applications, and scientific computing.
• Networking and exchange in interdisciplinary digitalization communities and at BAM digitalization events with the aim of developing innovative solutions and sharing knowledge with experts
• Attractive and modern working environment with excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art scientific equipment (laboratories, etc.)
• Scope for research and development for your own innovative ideas
• Good work-life balance (possibility of mobile working, flexible working hours, 30 days of vacation and up to 12 days of compensatory time off per year as well as part-time options)

Your application:

We welcome applications via the online application form by 04.01.2026. Alternatively, you can also send your application by post, quoting the reference number 245/25-7.2 to:

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
Referat Z.3 - Personal

Mr Artinov will be glad to answer any specific questions you may have. Please get in touch via the telephone number +49 30 8104-3101 and/or by email to Antoni.Artinov@bam.de

BAM promotes professional equality between women and men. We therefore particularly welcome applications from women. At the same time, we strive to reflect social diversity. Every application is therefore welcome, regardless of gender, cultural or social background, religion, ideology or sexual identity.

In addition, BAM has set itself the goal of promoting the professional participation of people with severe disabilities. The fulfillment of the job requirements is considered on an individual basis. Severely disabled persons or persons of equal status will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.

The advertised position requires a low level of physical aptitude.