Leibniz-Institut für Werkstofforientierte Technologien — IWT, Bremen

Join our team as a Research Associate (m/f/d) in the research area of process engineering full-time (39.2 hr/week), fixed term for 3.5 years. Hiring is planned for 01.01.2026.

As part of the ‘The Martian Mindset’ Cluster of Excellence and in collaboration with the University of Bremen and other research institutes, we are hiring a motivated research associate to contribute to the development of resource-efficient manufacturing processes – an important component of the cluster's interdisciplinary approach to sustainable technologies beyond Earth.

Leibniz-IWT stands for research in the field of new materials, new processes and optimised components. Our work is interdisciplinary, international and practical. The scientific questions in our institute range from the production of materials, such as powder production for additive manufacturing, to the analysis of the final machined components, for example high-precision gears. This is how we shape the requirements of tomorrow.

What you can expect from us:

• remuneration based on the federal collective bargaining agreement (TV-L), pay group 13 (from EUR 4,630 per month full-time), annual bonus, company pension scheme
• support for personal further qualification as part of a doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) in cooperation with the University of Bremen
• family-friendly, flexible working time models, part-time option, remote work, additional days off on December 24 and 31
• corporate health management and sports activities through egym wellpass
• interdisciplinary and international environment

We need your expertise for:

• project work dedicated to design of materials and processes for future Mars missions based on the in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) approach,within an international and interdisciplinary team
• operation of research infrastructure such as atomization plants, additive manufacturing machines, sintering devices, etc.
• characterization of synthesized materials using various analytical methods, e.g. transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, etc.
• computational simulation of material processing and structure-properties relationships to accelerate the development of new materials
• presentation of scientific results at international conferences and in publications
• participation in the acquisition of third-party funded projects

What we expect from you:

• completed Master's or Diploma degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences
• background in materials science and physical metallurgy
• experience or training in powder-based metal processing techniques, such as sintering and additive manufacturing
• first experience in computational modeling, including finite element modeling (FEM), and thermodynamic/kinetic simulations using tools such as Thermo-Calc and CALPHAD
• first experience in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to Materials Science problems

Leibniz-IWT is a certified family-friendly research institute and actively pursues equality for all groups of people. We promote the professional development of women at the institute and strongly encourage them to apply. You can find information on our representative body for severely disabled persons and inclusion officer on our homepage. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.

Please send your application including a cover letter, CV and graduation certificates until 12.09.2025, quoting the reference number V 25-1, to our application portal.

contactperson

Dr.-Ing. Ilya Okulov

Abteilungsleiter Prozessierung von Funktionsmaterialien