Doctoral researcher for 3,5 years (fulltime) on the topic “Robot-based monitoring of polydisperse particles with tactile-optical descriptors”.

At the University of Bremen, a position is available at the Bremen Institute for Measurement Technology, Automation and Quality Science (BIMAQ), Department 4, Production Engineering, to start as soon as possible

Doctoral researchers (f/m/d)

(Physics, SE, Mechatronics, PT, Mb/VT, ET)

Pay grade 13 TV-L, full-time (39.2 hours per week) for a fixed term of 3.5 years in the

Cluster of Excellence „Martian Mindset“ on the topic “Robot-based monitoring of polydisperse particles with tactile-optical descriptors”.

Part-time work is generally possible. Details are to be agreed with BIMAQ if necessary.

The fixed term is for scientific qualification in accordance with Section 2 (1) of the WissZeitVG (German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act). Accordingly, only applicants who still have the relevant amount of qualification time remaining in accordance with Section 2 (1) of the WissZeitVG can be considered.

Topic Description:

Our scientists in the cluster of excellence 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 research how to produce high-added-value materials and chemicals from low-grade ores using atmospheric gases as the only source of carbon and nitrogen and without burning fossil fuels.

In order to achieve a resource-efficient production and an enough-to-use quality of the end product, minimizing the uncertainty of the properties of the input material of the production processes is key. This necessitates a monitoring solution for polydisperse particles, which can cope with the harsh Martian boundary conditions and the scarcity of monitoring resources. To overcome existing sophisticated and usually highly specialized monitoring concepts, the aim is to derive the information about the polydisperse particles from easier measurable quantities, so-called descriptors. Therefore, a versatile robot-based monitoring setup is created and tactile-optical descriptors are introduced. In a single setup, scatterometry techniques are combined and the material movement characteristics in response to a targeted robot-induced tactile action are evaluated. As a result, tactile-optical descriptors are obtained to indirectly assess the geometric properties such as size, shape and homogeneity of different granulated materials. The monitoring capabilities are further investigated and digitally modelled, including the capabilities for regolith, metal powder and plastic granulates as important sourcing and processing input materials.

Your tasks:

• Conceptualization and realization of tactile-optical measurement principles (e.g. image evaluation of furrows in the material or the material’s flow behaviour) with cameras and a 6-axis-robot-arm for the tactile actions
• Programming of robot movements as well as developing descriptors and the corresponding evaluation algorithms for the tactile-optical measurements
• Investigation of the usability of the developed descriptors in cooperation with other projects in the cluster of excellence.
• Experimental analysis of achievable measurement resolutions, lower limits, uncertainties and velocities
• Conducting original research and developing your doctoral thesis within an interdisciplinary context
• Presenting and exchanging scientific findings at conferences, and publishing research results in internationally renowned journals
• Collaborating with other PhD students, researchers, and industry partners to advance joint scientific projects and publications
• 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, impairments)
• Mandatory participation in our qualification program (see below)

Requirements:

• Completed scientific university degree (Master's/university diploma) in physics, systems engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering/process engineering/production engineering or similar.
• Applicants who are in the final phase of their Master's degree will also be considered. Please note that the Master's degree certificate must be submitted in order to be hired.
• Basic knowledge and experience with optical components and optical measurement technology or image evaluation.
• Programming skills (e.g. with Python or MatLab) or initial experience with robot control systems.
• Be willing to engage in interdisciplinary work and collaborate with colleagues from different fields of expertise.
• Possess a collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
• Exhibit analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and spoken English skills (e.g. level B2).
• Enjoyment of creating knowledge (science), goal-oriented working style, ability to work in a team.

We Offer:

• Support for further personal qualification as part of a doctoral programme (Dr.-Ing.)
• Modern working environment with state-of-the-art, unique research infrastructure in an interdisciplinary, family-friendly team
• 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 bonus (‘Christmas bonus’), regular automatic salary increases in line with collective agreements and additional public sector pension scheme (VBL)
• A crisis-proof, interesting and varied job in a cosmopolitan university
• 30 days of holiday per calendar year
• A diverse, future-oriented and open corporate culture
• Work-life balance through flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of mobile working (subject to certain conditions)
• Free social and family counselling services
• An active company health management programme, including the option of discounts at local sports clubs, gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket
• Numerous sports and cultural activities
• A variety of 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 Information:

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.

The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international institution of higher education. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

Special support is offered to parents, including childcare. For more information, please visit: www.unibremen.de/familie/beschaeftigte/kinderbetreuungen

The University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, which is why women are expressly encouraged to apply. If equally qualified, women will be given priority unless reasons related to a male competitor prevail.

Severely disabled persons will be given priority if they have essentially the same professional and personal qualifications.

International applications and applications in English are welcome.

If you have any general questions about the personnel selection process or specific questions about the advertised position, please contact: Dr. Dirk Stöbener (he/his), tel. 0421-218-64640.

Please submit the following application documents:

• Letter of motivation describing your interest in the project and how your individual background and your qualifications make you a good fit for the project
• Detailed Curriculum vitae
• Copies of your Master's, Bachelor's and school leaving certificates
• List of publications (if available)
• Summary of your Master's thesis (one page)

Please note that no photos should be included with your application documents.

Please send your application with your complete and informative documents, quoting reference number A249-25, by 30.11.2025 as a PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to:

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

Any costs incurred during the application process cannot be reimbursed.

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. Once the selection process has been completed, your application documents will be stored in accordance with legal requirements and then destroyed.