About the opportunity
The Institute of Material and Process Design at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is seeking a PhD candidate to work on an interdisciplinary project integrating experimental characterization, crystal plasticity, phase-field modeling, and machine learning. The goal is to develop a next-generation Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) framework to predict microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys. The successful candidate will work within a diverse research environment, bridging the gap between data-driven modeling and mechanistic simulations to advance sustainable lightweight materials design.
Salary and benefits
- Remuneration up to pay grade 13 (EntgO Bund) under the German public sector collective agreement
- 6 weeks of annual holiday plus company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
- Access to an International Welcome Office with guest accommodation
- Support for work-life balance with mobile and flexible working options
- Subsidized Deutschlandticket and charging facilities for electric vehicles
- Access to a PhD Buddy Program, childcare options, and health promotion programs
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities
Who can apply?
- Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, computational engineering, physics, applied mathematics, data science, or a related discipline
- Strong interest in computational materials science, digital twins, and machine learning
- Good programming skills in Python
- Highly proficient in spoken and written English
- Ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary research team
Required documents
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- Certificates
When to apply
- Application deadline: 2026-11-12
How to apply
- Prepare comprehensive application documents including cover letter, CV, transcripts, and certificates
- Submit the application via the official 'Apply now!' link provided on the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon career portal
Additional information
- The position is a 4-year fixed-term contract
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified women to apply
- Severely disabled persons with equal suitability will be considered preferentially
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Candidates with a strong foundation in both materials science and computational methods (e.g., finite element methods, phase-field modeling) will be highly competitive.
- Individuals who enjoy working in interdisciplinary, international research environments will thrive in this team of 1,000 employees from over 60 nations.
- Applicants with prior experience in scientific Python libraries and machine learning workflows are particularly well-suited for the technical requirements of this role.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position is based in Geesthacht, Germany; applicants should be prepared for relocation if they are not already based in the region.
- This is a 4-year commitment, which is a significant time investment; ensure your long-term research interests align with computational materials engineering and digital twins.
- While the position is fully funded, candidates should be aware that the salary is governed by the German public sector collective agreement (EntgO Bund).
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This PhD position is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers looking to specialize at the intersection of materials science and artificial intelligence. It provides a structured environment to develop high-level expertise in ICME and digital twin technologies, which are increasingly critical in the automotive and aerospace industries. Whether your goal is to pursue a career in academia or transition into high-tech industrial R&D, this role offers the technical training, publication opportunities, and professional networking necessary to build a strong research profile.
Our take
This is a highly suitable opportunity for motivated Master's graduates in engineering or physical sciences who want to conduct high-impact research in a well-supported, international environment. It is less suitable for those who prefer purely experimental work or who are not interested in the computational and machine-learning aspects of materials design.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verified
