Doctoral or Post-Doctoral researcher (f/m/d) for the Cluster of Excellence “The Martian Mindset”

“The Martian Mindset - A scarcity-driven engineering paradigm” is a newly funded Cluster of Excellence and will be established at the University of Bremen from January 1, 2026. In the Cluster, we are looking for one

Doctoral or Post-doctoral Researcher (f/m/d)

subject to job release

on the topic

“Process chains and monitoring”

for 3.5 years (according to § 2 WissZeitVG) and part-time (50 %) at salary scale (German) 13 TV-L, with the option of extension to 31.12.2032.

The workplace and employment will be at the University of Bremen in the group process engineering. The starting date is January 1, 2026.

Job description

• Do you want to work in the pulsating center of an excellence cluster?
• You have a background in physics, engineering, manufacturing, or similar?
• You would like to support and do interdisciplinary research in engineering, with the option to do a PhD, but you wish to work part-time with 50 %?

Here we have an excellent job option for you: Process Chains & The Martian Mindset

Our scientists are developing the “Martian Mindset” in order to rethink the production of materials and components from scratch. The scarcity of resources and extreme conditions on the red planet serve as a setting to develop a new paradigm of sustainability that will lay the foundations for a fossil-fuel-free production of materials and parts from scarce resources in a highly automated and resilient way.

We are looking for a researcher in supporting the Working Group on Process Chains and Monitoring, with a focus on process chains. The Working Group addresses diverse process steps including the sourcing of different materials (regolith, iron, polymers) as well as the further processing in elementary process units. In order to produce a desired part under the scarce Martian conditions, the cluster’s challenge is to adjust and combine individual elementary process steps for realizing fully functional process chains. Therefore, investigating feasible and resource-efficient process chain solutions by supporting and driving the connection of the provided elementary process chain elements is essential and will be your central task in the cluster.

Detailed information about the research cluster “The Martian Mindset - A scarcity-driven engineering paradigm”, including its research foci and project leaders, is available on our website  https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/the-martian-mindset .

Tasks

• Assist in driving the cluster’s working group “Process Chains and Monitoring” forward, in close collaboration with the two working group leaders (Prof. Andreas Fischer, Dr. Matthias Steinbacher). In particular, enabling the seamless flow of material and data in a process chain by setting standards for describing the matter input and output of process chain elements in close collaboration with the colleagues working on the process chain elements.
• Conducting interdisciplinary research on the design of process chains on the basis of provided elementary processes, in close collaboration with the researchers working on a process chain element
• Documenting, publishing, and presenting research findings through various channels, including academic journals and international conferences, usually in English.
• Actively participating in Martian Mindset events, such as retreats, seminars, summer schools, and workshops to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration, considering individual possibilities (e.g. compatibility with family responsibilities)
• Optional: Depending on your personal and career development wishes, a widening/deepening of the research activities is possible. One possible topic: Discover the diversity of possible process chain solutions to meet the requirements of different conditions of scarce resources. Another possible topic: Discover monitoring needs and identify available monitoring solutions for processes and logistics.

Requirements

We are looking for a dynamic and open-minded personality who enjoys assisting and conducting cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary, international and diverse team. To succeed in this role, you should

• Have a university degree (Master's/university diploma) or, if applicable, a doctorate ) in physics, engineering, manufacturing, or a similar field
• Be willing to engage in interdisciplinary work and collaborate with colleagues from different fields of expertise
• Have good English language skills (spoken and written), e.g. level B2
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Show team spirit
• Possess a collaborative mindset and strong communication skills
• Exhibit analytical thinking and problem-solving skills

Do you combine curiosity and interest in scientific problems and have a strong desire to contribute to sustainable human space exploration as well as the green transition on Earth? Then we look forward to receiving your application!

As a researcher in The Martian Mindset, you will join a vibrant and dynamic scientific community of internationally renowned researchers.

You will have access to:

• State-of-the-art, unique research infrastructure
• Opportunities for international collaborations and extended research stays in top laboratories around the world
• A comprehensive mentoring and qualification program (see below) tailored to your individual needs and goals to promote successful project completion and transition to leading positions in academia and industry
• Support from the Welcome Center of the U Bremen Research Alliance
• Annual special payment (“Christmas bonus”), regular collectively agreed salary increases and additional public sector pension scheme (VBL)
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year
• Specific offers for gender-equitable career promotion by the Equal Opportunities Office
• A flexible and family-friendly work environment, with flexible working hours and mobile office options (taking into account the general conditions)
• Free social and family counseling services
• Active company health management including the option of discounts at local sports clubs or for gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket
• Varied catering options in the student union canteens

Qualification concept

Together we will create an exceptional environment for research, education and innovation, where the Martian Mindset can flourish. Our qualification concept is designed to empower early-career researchers to become creative, versatile and responsible risk-takers, who will continue to develop and implement our scarcity driven engineering paradigm in leadership roles within academia and industry. To achieve this, we offer individualized supervision and training, with a strong advisory network of supervisors, mentors, and peers. Further information on our comprehensive qualification program is available online.

General

The University of Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We are committed to implementing our diversity strategy at all levels and aim to increase the diversity and variety of perspectives of our employees. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

The University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in academia, which is why women are expressly encouraged to apply. In the case of equal qualifications, women will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

Disabled persons with essentially equal professional and personal qualifications will be given priority when applying.

Contact

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure, please do not hesitate to contact our recruiting team via email: [email protected].

For questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact Dr. Matthias Steinbacher ( [email protected]) and Prof. Andreas Fischer ( [email protected]).

Application procedure

We invite you to apply if you would like to co-develop the Martian Mindset with us and unlock the creative potential for innovation that emerges from scarcity.

To apply for the position, please submit the following documents in English:

• A cover letter (max. 2 DIN A4-pages) that includes:
  • A clear statement of motivation to join "The Martian Mindset"
  • A description of how your individual background and qualifications make you a good fit for the described tasks
  • Ideally, contact information for two potential referees
• A brief summary of your thesis and previous research projects (max. 2 pages)
• A detailed curriculum vitae (please without a photo)
• A copy of your degree certificate/transcript of records (German possible)
• Any other supporting documents, such as certificates, as relevant to your application (German possible)

Please send your application with your complete documents to the following address, quoting the reference number A241-25, until 12.12.2025 as a single PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to: [email protected].

If you would like to send your application by post, please contact our recruiting team in advance by email (see above).

You are welcome to let us know which pronouns you use and how we may address you.

University of Bremen

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad spectrum of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and in the world.

Privacy information

If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by the participating institutions exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the advertised positions. This explicitly includes passing on the information to the respective project leaders and selection committees and can include entering the information into the application management systems of the participating institutions.