Research Associate Production Technology and Systems

Leuphana Universität Lüneburg stands as a humanistic, sustainable, and action-oriented university for innovation in education and science. Methodological diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, transdisciplinary cooperation with practice, and an overall dynamic development characterize its research profile in the core themes of Education, Culture, Management/Technology, Sustainability, and State. Its international study model with the Leuphana College, the Leuphana Graduate School, and the Leuphana Professional School is unique in Germany and has received numerous awards.

For the Faculty of Management & Technology at the Institute for Production Technology and Systems, the university is looking for a responsible, motivated, and committed personality as a

Research Associate (Reference: WiMi Produktionstechnik und -Systeme) (**Pay Group** 13 TV-L, 100%, fixed-term for a duration of 30 months)

to be filled within the framework of the DFG-funded research project "Microstructure-based characterization of the corrosion-fatigue evolution of hybrid steel/aluminum joints made by refill friction stir spot welding". The opportunity for scientific further qualification in the form of a doctorate is provided, and active shaping of the research project is desired. The research project is carried out in close cooperation with research partners from TU Dortmund. The research project focuses on the investigation of hybrid steel/aluminum joints produced using refill friction stir spot welding. In particular, the corrosion fatigue behavior is to be characterized in detail and described mechanistically. The position advertised here focuses on the production and characterization of these hybrid steel/aluminum joints.

Your Tasks:

• Processing of the DFG-funded research project and coordination with research partners
• Documentation and publication of results in international journals
• Conducting experiments on refill friction stir spot welding, including microstructural and mechanical characterization
• Development of process strategies for the production of hybrid steel/aluminum joints using refill friction stir spot welding
• Determination of the process-structure-property relationship of the corresponding joints, taking into account surface coatings and sealants in the joint zone and their influence on corrosion behavior
• Support in supervising student team members within the framework of this project
• Completed scientific university degree in the field of Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or comparable (Master or equivalent)
• Initial experience in research
• Experience in scientific work, project work, or comparable activities at universities, research institutions, or in a professionally relevant environment is an advantage

Your Profile:

Technical Qualification:

• Completed scientific university degree in the field of Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or comparable (Master or equivalent)

Professional Experience:

• Initial experience in research
• Experience in scientific work, project work, or comparable activities at universities, research institutions, or in a professionally relevant environment is an advantage

Technical Knowledge:

• Experience in the field of solid-state material processing
• Experience in the microstructural and mechanical characterization of metallic materials
• Experience in determining residual stresses and corrosion behavior
• Experience with scientific methods and data analysis
• Ability to perform scientific work, typically demonstrated by high-quality publications in international journals

Transversal Competencies:

• Structured and goal-oriented way of working as well as ability to work in a team and commitment
• Communication skills
• Willingness to cooperate with an interdisciplinary and international team
• Organizational skills and analytical thinking
• Ability to perform scientific work and present
• High level of initiative and motivation

Language Skills:

• Very good oral and written expression in English

Our Offer:

• an inspiring working environment as part of the university community of researchers, teachers, students, and staff in technology and administration,
• a workplace at one of the most beautiful university locations in Germany in a true campus university with an internationally renowned central building by Daniel Libeskind and the directly adjacent Wilschenbruch nature reserve,
• high job security as part of the public service,
• additional company pension scheme via the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL),
• flexible and family-friendly working hours within a flexitime framework from 6 am to 9 pm,
• flexible and family-friendly options to switch between presence work and mobile work,
• an extensive range of internal and external further training opportunities,
• a diverse range of sports activities funded by the university, which can be taken for one hour per week during working hours to promote employee health,
• a university-funded gastronomic lunch offering in the Mensa,
• a university-funded Deutschlandticket as a job ticket.

The position is generally suitable for part-time, but a 100 percent appointment is intended.

Your Application:

For substantive inquiries regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Benjamin Klusemann at benjamin.klusemann@leuphana.de.

Leuphana Universität Lüneburg promotes gender equality and heterogeneity among its members. Applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have equal qualifications.

Please submit all required documents (please without a photo) by 08.09.2026 via our **Application Portal**. We look forward to your application!