Research Assistant (m/f/d)

Division 8.6 - Fibre Optic Sensors

To strengthen our team in the division “Fibre Optic Sensors” in Berlin-Steglitz, starting as soon as possible, we are looking for a

Research Assistant (m/f/d) in the field of electrical engineering (optical communications engineering) or optical technologies/photonics or physics or civil engineering

Salary group E13 TVöD
Temporary contract until 31.10.2026
Full-time / suitable as part-time employment

The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is a materials research organization in Germany. Our mission is to ensure safety in technology and chemistry. We perform research and testing in materials science, materials engineering and chemistry to improve the safety of products and processes. At BAM we do research that matters. Our work covers a broad array of topics in the focus areas of energy, infrastructure, environment, materials, and chemistry and process engineering.

We are looking for talented people to join us.

Your responsibilities include:

Research and development on the use of distributed fiber optic sensors for condition monitoring of bridges:

• Investigation and evaluation of the usability and limitations of various methods of distributed fiber optic sensing based on Rayleigh, Brillouin and Raman scattering for condition monitoring of bridges
• Development of suitable test setups and laboratory experiments, execution, and evaluation of test series in the laboratory and on relevant test specimens
• Planning, implementation, and evaluation of fiber optic measurement campaigns on various real structures as part of business trips
• Investigation of the influence of sensor geometry, measurement parameters, installation method and location of the fiber optic sensors and external influences on the measurement results and measurement data quality as well as development of best practices for the instrumentation of bridge structures
• Development and implementation of hardware-based methods and measurement protocols as well as algorithms (software) to compensate for the influence of disturbance variables in order to increase measurement data quality and to facilitate appropriate data reduction
• Publishing results by writing scientific articles for publication in recognized peer-reviewed journals, preparing conference contributions and giving talks and presentations

Your qualifications:

• Successfully completed university degree (diploma or master's) in the field of lectrical engineering or physics or comparable with specialization in the field of optical communications engineering/ optical measurement technology/ applied optics/ photonics or civil engineering with specialization in measurement technology/sensor technology and monitoring
• Good knowledge of fiber optics and in the field of distributed fiber optic sensor technology
• Practical experience with fiber optic measurement technology and fiber optic sensor hardware and in handling corresponding measurement data
• Experience with distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing (DAS) is an advantage
• Experience with and knowledge of structural health monitoring (SHM) is an advantage
• Proven experience in the planning and execution of complex laboratory experiments and test series, with experimental design and measurement data handling
• Very good programming skills in Python or comparable
• Extensive experience in digital signal processing and general measurement data processing
• Willingness to travel (nationally and internationally) is required
• Very good written and spoken German or English skills
• Good communication and information behavior, initiative/commitment and ability to work, willingness and ability to make decisions, ability to work in a team and willingness to cooperate, as well as conceptual, strategic and innovative thinking skills

We offer:

• Work in national and international networks with universities, research institutions and industrial companies
• Varied tasks in a dynamic and future-oriented market at the interface between science, business and politics
• Attractive and modern working environment with excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art scientific equipment (laboratories, etc.)
• The opportunity to actively participate in the development of quality and safety standards
• An open welcoming culture, a certified family-friendly working environment, regular feedback meetings and competent contact persons, sustainability [including a subsidy for a job ticket]

Your application:

We welcome applications via the online application form by 13.04.2025. Alternatively, you can also send your application by post, quoting the reference number 61/25-8.6 to:

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
Referat Z.3 - Personal
Unter den Eichen 87
12205 Berlin
GERMANY
www.bam.de

Dr. Hicke will be glad to answer any specific questions you may have. Please get in touch via the telephone number +49 30 8104-3588 and/or by email to Konstantin.Hicke@bam.de.

BAM promotes professional equality between women and men. We therefore particularly welcome applications from women. At the same time, we strive to reflect social diversity. Every application is therefore welcome, regardless of gender, cultural or social background, religion, ideology or sexual identity.

In addition, BAM has set itself the goal of promoting the professional participation of people with severe disabilities. The fulfillment of the job requirements is considered on an individual basis. Severely disabled persons or persons of equal status will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.

The advertised position requires a high level of physical aptitude.